Thousands pay homage to Holy Family in fluvial procession

Local

THE journey to honor Señor Santo Niño de Cebu during the seaborne procession on Saturday, January 18, 2025, began well before dawn for many devotees.

As early as Friday night, thousands of the faithful boarded their vessels in preparation for Cebu’s 460th Fiesta Señor fluvial procession, a highlight of the city’s Sinulog Festival and one of its most cherished religious traditions.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas (PCG-7) reported that over 8,000 devotees took part in the event, with more than 350 vessels, ranging from motor bancas to tugboats and yachts, crowding the Cebu-Mactan Channel.

It was a display of devotion, as devotees gathered in both anticipation and reverence for the holy images of St. Joseph, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the iconic Señor Santo Niño.

For many, the event was much more than a public display, it was a deeply personal expression of faith.

Some participants boarded their boats as early as Friday evening, determined to be part of the long-anticipated parade that would wind its way to Pier 1 in Cebu City.

Through the night and into the early hours of the morning, the channel came to life with colorful boats, prayers, and chants resonating over the water.

At approximately 8 a.m., the Roro (roll-on roll-of) vessel M/V Sto. Niño-Cebu carrying the sacred images of the Holy Family reached Pier 1, where the images were then transferred to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño through a brief foot procession.

The fluvial procession, which marks the historic arrival of Ferdinand Magellan’s ship in Cebu in 1521, continues to be a vital religious rite for Cebuano Catholics, commemorating the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines.

“The event was generally safe, with no major incidents reported,” said Ensign Abel Lomboy, Public Information Officer of the PCG-7.

While the procession largely proceeded without incident, there were some minor disruptions. Lomboy reported that a few unregistered motorbancas joined the parade, despite clear advisories against this.

Additionally, some registered vessels were found in locations other than their designated spots, causing slight delays in the procession’s flow.

One motor banca also ran aground near Pier 1, but the PCG-7 confirmed that all passengers were safely rescued, ensuring the overall safety and security of the event.

Despite these challenges, the procession proceeded smoothly, as devoted participants made their way across the water.

Earlier this week, the “Penitential Walk with Mary” procession held on Friday, January 17, saw around 300,000 people walking from Fuente Osmeña to the Basilica, holding the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Señor Santo Niño as they prayed the Holy Rosary.(MyTVCebu)