Return of ‘normal’ Fiesta Señor eyed

CEBU, Philippines — After being cancelled for the last two years, most of the religious activities related to the fiesta of Sr. Sto. Niño in Cebu City will already be revived next year.

This was the consensus reached during the first coordination meeting yesterday between the executive committee members of the Basilica del Sto. Niño and representatives of the city government.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the Emergency Operations Center, who was in attendance at yesterday’s meeting, said preparations for the Fiesta Señor are now underway.

Garganera said Mayor Michael Rama’s instruction was to coordinate with the Augustinian friars early on, along with all sectors/stakeholders in the preparation for January 2023.

“That’s 127 days from today (yesterday). The best preparation is to prepare early,” Garganera said.

For two years, religious activities for the feast of the Holy Child have been made virtually except that this year, there was a motorcade that passed through the CCLEX for the first time. However, the motorcade was also only limited to the escort cars to the image of Sto. Niño.

With the eased restrictions and the city’s efforts to be able to “live with the virus,” devotees can now go back to the Basilica and participate in various activities physically.

“Gipangandaman na ang pagbalik sa pre-pandemic religious activities,” Garganera said.

Garganera said Mayor Michael Rama will be making more announcements concerning this matter, but disclosed that all activities will be back in place next year.

“All activities — from dawn procession, fluvial, nightly novenas, traslacion and grand procession,” said Garganera, barring unforeseen events.

As to the capacity allowed in various activities, Garganera said it will be officially announced in the days to come.

Aside from the religious activities, Rama has also looked forward to the grand return of the Sinulog, a festival held in honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu.

Next year’s festival will be held at the South Road Properties for the first time.

Rama first wanted to stage the Sinulog at the SRP this year through a bubble-type showdown, but this was not given the blessings by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

This time, Rama is moving the event from the CCSC to SRP to avoid traffic and to showcase the SRP as a possible investment destination. — JMD (FREEMAN)