Fluvial, Foot Procession today

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of thousands devotees are expected to converge today with the Fluvial Procession at 6 o'clock this morning and the Solemn Procession at 1:30 this afternoon, in the Vesperas of the Feast Day of the Holy Child Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño.

The fluvial procession is preceded by an early dawn mass at 4:00 am at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue and will be followed by a foot procession of the image from the shrine going to the Ouano Wharf.

There, the images are placed on the galleon together with the official participants of the reenactment in preparation for the 6 a.m. fluvial parade going to Pier Uno.

A total of 55 registered vessels are expected to join the fluvial procession, according to Capt. Rolando Punzalan, Cebu Coast Guard head.

At 9 am, various groups will dance the Sinulog to welcome the arrival of the images of Sr. Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

A foot procession immediately follows from Pier Uno to the Basilica Pilgrim Center for the Re-enactment of Cebu's First Mass and Baptism.

The reenactment of the first mass and baptism has historical and religious significance because the event actually took place on April 14, 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan planted the huge wooden cross at its current site in Magallanes Street. This also marks the first recorded miracle of Santo Niño in Cebu.

Historian Pigafetta narrated that "when the priest got ready for the ceremony, the Queen of Cebu, wife of King Humabon, was shown the little statue of the Infant Jesus. She was deeply touched and tearfully asked to be baptized. She wanted to replace their idols with the image of Sto. Nino and so this was given to her. On that very occasion, the early Cebuanos numbering nearly a thousand were converted and baptized with their King and Queen. Thus the seed of Christianity, cultivated and nurtured by the Spanish Evangelists grew and flowered throughout the 7,000 islands."

Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, the new rector and the overall chairman of the Sinulog activities of the Church, presides the re-enactment of Cebu's First Mass and Baptism participated by Mandauehanons performing the roles of King Humabon, Queen Juana, the natives and the Spanish priests and soldiers.

At the end of the religious ceremonies, the accredited Sinulog groups - Confradia del Sto. Niño, Guadalupe, Mabolo and the San Diego Dance Troupe - perform their respective dance offerings to the Holy Child Jesus enshrined at the altar of the Basilica Pilgrim Center.

Right after the reenactment, at about 12:15 this afternoon, all participating devotees start to assemble at their designated Division areas.

The Solemn Procession starts to move at 1:30 this afternoon.

The procession route will start at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, Osmeña Boulevard until Fuente Osmeña, turn right to Gen. Maxilom Avenue then turn right to New Imus Road then turn left to M.J. Cuenco Avenue and turn right towards Osmeña Boulevard and back to the Basilica.

Except for the carrozas, devotees can exit at the Plaza Independencia, Legazpi St., and Lapulapu St.

Division 1 shall assemble at the Osmeña Boulevard from Gaisano Metro to the Manalili intersection. This comprises the acolytes, PNP band, Knights of Columbus, Colegio del Sto. Nino, Basilica Mandated Groups, Carroza of St. Joseph, USC Band and Government Officials, Cebu Normal University and Cebu Technological University.

Division 2 shall assemble from the Manalili Intersection to D. Jakosalem Street until F. Urdaneta St., and comprises the carroza of the Blessed Virgin Mary, UC Band and colleges and universities.

Division 3 shall start from F. Urdaneta St. to corner V. Gullas St., this comprises the religious organizations while Division 4 will be from Legazpi St., from corner D. Jakosalem St. to corner Colon St., and comprises the general devotees, companies and establishments.

The Sto. Niño Carroza is expected to return to the Basilica at about 6:00 pm, at the earliest, to be followed immediately by the Pontifical Mass to be presided by Bishop John Du.

The liturgical celebration ends with the traditional religious Sinulog. –(FREEMAN)