Sto. Niño festivities begin at dawn today

Festivities of the miraculous Santo Niño de Cebu will kick off today with the Walk With Jesus procession to be held at dawn from the Fuente Osmeña Circle to the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

Thousands of devotees are expected to attend the solemn procession that will start from Osmeña Boulevard to the Basilica where a Mass will follow.

Because of the expected influx of devotees, church officials have implemented security measures inside the Basilica during the Mass and during the procession, in which devotees will bring candles and rosaries with them.

At least 50 security guards will be deployed inside the Basilica to secure the devotees, while student-volunteers will be tasked to maintain order during the parade. Paramedics will be detained along the route to respond to emergency situations.

On Saturday, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will celebrate the Mass after the solemn foot procession.

There had been changes in the procession route this year as indicated on the map provided by the Basilica officials.

The procession route will be from the Basilica to Osmeña Boulevard to Plaridel Street to Borromeo Street to Sanciangko Street to Leon Kilat Street to P. Del Rosario Street then right turn to Junquera Street and left to Colon Street.

Then from Colon Street, the procession will turn right to Mabini and P. Burgos streets and back to the Basilica. The exit points are Legaspi Street and the street along the sides of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Patria de Cebu Building. - Jasmin R. Uy