MANILA - Over five million devotees walked to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for the annual Alay Lakad as estimated by Antipolo police.

This year's crowd estimate is over two million lower than the 2024 crowd of around 7,400,000.

"Nakitaan natin nang bahagyang pagbaba talaga. Noong nakaraang taon ako na po 'yung hepe rito. There was really a significant change doon sa volume ng tao. Maaari natin ma-attribute ito siguro sa init ng panahon," Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Manongdo, Antipolo PNP chief, said.

The annual Holy Week activity is a 'pilgrimage walk' that invites devotees to a sacred journey uphill at the Antipolo Cathedral.

"Ito po'y ginagawa ng mga tao upang maging paraan ng debosyon at makiisa sa pagpapakasakit ng panginoon kung saan ito'y sine-celebrate during Holy Week," said Jean Simon Castillo from the Antipolo Cathedral's social communications team. 

"Taunan po itong ginagawa rito sa bahay namin sa Antipolo, nang sa gayo'y mas madama ng mga tao, hindi lang ng mga taga-Antipolo kundi mga karatig Pilipinas at buong Pilipinas ang pagpapakasakit sa krus ni Hesukristo," she added.

The family of Kim Carillo from San Andres Bukid, Manila, walked together as part of their annual Holy Week tradition.

"Nag-alay lakad po kami from Guadalupe hanggang dito po sa Antipolo Church. Go lang kahit pagod na, hindi namin iniisip 'yun basta ang goal namin makarating dito at mag-thank you kay God sa mga blessing na binigay niya sa amin," Carillo said.

A young girl named Francia Garcia of Parañaque visited the shrine for the first time together with her father.

"Ang sakit po sa katawan..basta ma-enjoy ko lang po para sulit. First time po ako rito para kay Hesus at Nazareno rin po," Garcia shared.

Angel Shenes, along with her two best friends, walked again to continue their yearly 'panata.'

"Galing po kaming Tikling tapos umakyat po sa Antipolo. Gusto po namin ma-experience 'yung Alay Lakad at the same time 'yung panatang sinasabi nila," Shenes said.

For Karylle Mejares and Marichu Cudal, attending the Alay Lakad meant that another wish might come to life.

"Siyempre for my wish to come true. Nine years ko na Itong ginagawa," Mejares said.

"May mga wishes. Everytime na may winu-wish sa cathedral ng Antipolo, natutupad," Cudal said.