The 460th Feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu has officially opened on Thursday with at least 160,000 devotees joining the Penitential Walk with Jesus from Fuente Osmeña to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

“160,000 is our initial count,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, who told media that there were no untoward incidents had been recorded during the procession.

The Penitential Walk began at 4:20 a.m. and reached the Basilica at 5:32 a.m.

Comparatively, the number of devotees who joined the Penitential Walk was 300,000 in 2023 and 200,000 in 2024.

The Opening Salvo signals the start of the Novenario and commences the nine-day Novena mass.

The Festival theme is titled,” Santo Niño: Hope of the Pilgrim Church.”

Fr. Jules Van Almerez, spokesperson of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu reminds devotees and churchgoers to strictly follow the guidelines issued for all fiesta activities.

“First and foremost, we will still implement the dress code inside the Basilica,” Fr. Almerez stressed.

He discouraged devotees from bringing large bags, backpacks and luggage to maintain security and facilitate smooth flow of people entering the Basilica.

Specific rules on the use of chairs had been issued — wherein only small, compact and collapsible chairs are allowed inside, while larger camping chairs are prohibited.

“We would not allow persons entering the Basilica with face paints as when you go inside the house of God, you have to be clean,” Fr. Almerez added.

The Basilica compound is only limited to 5,000 people, thus when it reaches the limit, entry will be temporarily closed to prevent overcrowding.

He assured though devotees that projectors have been installed outside the Basilica.

More than 3,000 personnel from various agencies assigned to ensure the safety and security of the Sinulog and Fiesta Señor 2025 activities.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, the spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas highlighted the importance of a collaborative effort among various agencies to maintain peace and order throughout the Festivities.

The deployed personnel include 1,028 from the Philippine National Police, 130 from the Bureau of Fire Protection, 200 from the Philippine Navy,100 from the Philippine Army, 50 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 20 from the Department of Health and 100 from the Office of Civil Defense and Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Office.

There are additional 620 Barangay Public Safety Officers, 150 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members, 100 personnel from Task Force Kasaligan and Barangay Fire Brigades, and 50 from the Cebu City Transportation Office will also be assisting in the crowd control, traffic management and emergency response.

Rafter confirmed that minimum of 3 million people are expected to join the festivities.