Cebu was bustling with activity as it ushered in the three-day Feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu and the Sinulog Festival, events deeply rooted in religion and tradition. Thousands of devotees gathered yesterday to commemorate the first Mass, wedding, and baptism in the Philippines.

A reenactment of the foreign explorers’ efforts to Christianize Filipinos was held at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu at approximately 10:33 a.m.

More than 300 sea craft and motorized boats participated in the traditional fluvial procession, with the Señor Sto. Niño on board the official galleon, the MV Santo Niño de Cebu.

The fluvial procession is a key event of the feast as it re-enacts the arrival of the image of the Señor Sto. Niño in Cebu in 1521.

Devotees consider the water procession a deeply spiritual event symbolizing Cebu’s faith and connection to the Señor Sto. Niño.

Fest started Friday

On Friday, a massive crowd of devotees filled the central streets of Cebu City for the Walk with Mary, a penitential procession leading to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

Diocesan priest Fr. Eligio Suico, who presided over the Traslacion Mass at the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center, delivered a message of hope and mercy, honoring the devotion of the faithful that has been passed down through generations over the past 460 years.

“Let us thank our ancestors who shared their stories of hope and mercy as they encountered the Santo Niño. The Santo Niño is accompanying us on our journey to heaven,” Suico said.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said the procession was peaceful.

At least 1,400 Cebu City police personnel were deployed to ensure peace and order during the event.

Additional support teams were deployed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Security measures were heightened for Saturday’s solemn foot procession and Sunday’s Sinulog Grand Parade at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Following the Walk with Mary, the image of the Santo Niño was brought in a Traslacion to Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities.

In Lapu-Lapu City, the image will remain at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rule for an overnight vigil before being transferred to a galleon at Muelle Osmeña.

Collision mars festivity

The festivity was, however, marred by a collision among three vessels, including a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol boat.

PCG vessel 4408, the Cape San Agustin and the MT Sugbo III collided during the seaborne procession.

The PCG said the Sugbo III was not in its designated position or path, which led to the collision.

No one was harmed in the incident.