The Philippine Online Chronicles

The image of the Sto. Niño is all over the archipelago today with the Feast of the Sto. Niño and Cebu’s annual Sinulog.

Yesterday, devotees in Cebu kicked off the feast with a fluvial parade along the Mactan Channel. Inquirer reported that dozens of bancas, barges and cruise ships escorted the MV Santo Niño de Cebu. The galleon replica carried an image of the Sto. Niño that was blessed by the Blessed John Paul II.

The parade started at the Ouano Wharf, Mandaue City and ended two hours later at Cebu Port’s Pier 1 across the Mactan channel.

The group was led by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Thousands of devotees watched from the shore, waving and honking horns as the image passed them.

Cebu Coast Guard station head Cmdr. Rolando Punzalan said at least 243 vessels joined the fluvial procession, although only 136 registered with the Marina.

The procession was blessed with good weather after a downpour just before the fluvial parade. Local police said around 1.6 million people joined the festivities.

A boat owner interviewed by media said he was not surprised with the “miracle” since years ago a double rainbow even graced the parade.

“The Sto. Niño looks down at the people, and sees their hearts.  If he likes what he sees, he makes sure something will happen,” he said.

After a long foot parade yesterday, the carroza of the Sto. Niño returned to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño where Bishop John Du of Dumaguete City officiated a mass. The devotees also reenacted the first baptism in the Philippines in 1521.

“More than the reenactment is the reaffirmation of faith.  I want to emphasize the reaffirmation. It’s more of a renewal of baptismal vows—a remembering,” Msgr. Cristobal Garcia said.

Today, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma officiated a pontifical mass for the feast day of the Sto. Niño.

The Sto. Niño was also brought to the Cebu City Jail last Tuesday. Around 2,000 inmates were said to have been inspired by the visit.

One of them was 82-year-old David Salonoy who had been a devotee of Sto. Niño de Cebu since childhood. He was accused of raping a 22-year-old woman in 2009 and was arrested just moments after visiting the Basilica.

Jail warden Supt. Johnson Calub said, “The visit of the Sto. Niño encouraged us to open our hearts to make Him the center of our lives.”

It was the first time that the image was brought to the jail during fiesta week.

Fr. Bartolome Sagadal, who officiated the mass, told the detainees to never lose hope.

“Let us come before the Sto. Niño so our families will be renewed,” he said.

Tondo

Meanwhile, hundreds of devotees participated in the Sto. Niño procession in Tondo. Starting at 8 a.m., the image of the Sto. Niño reached the Tondo Parish Church at 10 a.m.

Unlike the Cebu parade, the procession in Tondo was peaceful.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim asked the residents of Tondo to refrain from drinking and causing trouble during the observance of the feast.

He expressed sadness for the yearly incidents of death and injuries.

He said instead of getting into trouble, the residents should just spend their time eating, singing and playing parlor games.