Faith, Unity mark penitential walk: Fiesta Señor opens

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City woke up at the break of dawn yesterday to a flowing tide of prayers and candlelight as devotees of Señor Santo Niño filled the streets in a solemn yet vibrant display of faith and unity during the annual Penitential Walk with Jesus, marking the official opening of Fiesta Señor 2026 and Sinulog Festival 2026.

At 4 a.m., from Fuente Osmeña Circle to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, thousands of devotees walked in solemn reflection, their voices rising together in the hymn “Bato Balani sa Gugma,” a song of supplication and love that has long defined Cebuano devotion to the Holy Child.

Devotees, holding lighted candles and an image of the Child Jesus, offered prayers and sacrifices as they walked the 2.1-kilometer-long procession toward the Basilica for the Opening Salvo Mass.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak estimated the crowd at 240,000, a dramatic rise in number from the 160,000 recorded in 2025, underscoring the growing fervor of Cebuano devotion.

Observers said the surge in attendance reflects both the resilience of the faithful and the city’s capacity to manage one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.

The Walk With Jesus, regarded as the opening salvo of the 461st Fiesta Señor, is more than a ritual march—it is a collective act of thanksgiving and renewal.

Upon arrival at the Basilica, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Father Danilo M. Carido, OSA, vice rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, who also delivered the homily.

This year’s novena walk and masses were held under the Sinulog 2026 theme, “In Santo Niño, we are one,” highlighting unity among the faithful despite differences in background, culture, and personal circumstances.

Father Carido likened the gathering of devotees to small streams of water converging into one powerful river, all flowing in one direction toward God.

While each devotee comes from a unique path, he said, they are united in purpose as they journey together toward the Basilica, described as the “sea of glory” where the Señor Santo Niño awaits.

The vice rector emphasized that the theme carries a message beyond the Church, calling for unity and solidarity in the wider community.

He noted its connection to the papal motto of Pope Leo XIV, “In Illo Uno Unum” or “In the One, we are one,” drawing inspiration from Saint Augustine’s teaching that although Christians are many, they are one in Christ.

“The essence of Sinulog is unity rooted in faith, not uniformity,” Carido said.

Devotees described the walk as both a physical and spiritual journey, offering their intentions, and prayers to the Child Jesus.

Carido acknowledged that unity and faith are not without challenges. Just as water flows through rocky and uneven terrain, believers must endure trials and suffering.

Through reliance on the Spirit of God, he said, devotees are granted the courage, strength, and wisdom to persevere in their devotion.

He also reflected on the centuries-old devotion to the Señor Santo Niño, which began humbly and continues to grow across generations, with novena masses and pilgrimages serving as daily testaments to the enduring presence of God among the faithful.

The Sinulog theme is both a conviction and a challenge, calling on devotees to live out unity not only in prayer but also through action, Carido emphasized.

 “In our faith and in our deeds,” he said, “with Señor Santo Niño, we are one,” Carido declared.

Councilor Tumulak and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) confirmed that the early morning procession concluded safely, with no untoward incidents reported.

Emergency teams had been mobilized as early as 2:00 a.m., securing the route and coordinating through the Incident Command Post to ensure readiness before the faithful began their walk.

Families, parish groups, and pilgrims from across the province joined the solemn procession, their prayers weaved together a tapestry of faith that has long defined Cebu’s identity.

Festivities continue this afternoon with the formal kickoff parade from the Basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center at 2:00 p.m., followed by the launching parade.

On Saturday, the city will host Sinulog sa Dakbayan 2026, highlighted by brass bands and cultural performances of close to 20 barangays in Cebu City

The Sinulog Foundation Incorporated’s calendar also includes the opening of the Sinulog Trade Fair at SM City Cebu, todayshowcasing local crafts, delicacies, and festival memorabilia.

Police Assessment

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) reported a peaceful Penitential Walk with Jesus, despite the huge yet manageable crowd.

Police/Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños, information officer of CCPO, said this year’s crowd estimate increased compared to last year. “So far, peaceful ra man. Very manageable ra ang crowd,” he told the reporters yesterday.

He also confirmed that 240,000 devotees joined the January 8 procession, from 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. He added that the crowd reportedly grew, reaching approximately 300,000, as more devotees arrived and waited inside and outside the Basilica for the Opening Salvo mass.

Los Baños attributed the increase in the number of devotees participating this year to Cebuano's strengthened faith in Señor Santo Niño, considering that major calamities and disasters hit Cebu last year, including fires, earthquakes, and typhoons.

“Mas daghan karon, considering siguro nga niagi ta og mga kalamidad. So, nagpasalamat ang mga katawhan nga naluwas sila sa miaging mga kalamidad nga atong nahiguman dire sa Cebu,” he said.

Los Baños admitted there were certain choke points along the route that had caused delays, particularly in areas where there are waiting sheds of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT).

“Pag-abot lampas sa (Campo) PRO-7, medyo bottleneck ma’na diha considering nga naay gihimo na waiting area sa mga passenger. Bisan unsaon siya pag-force og kuan, nisikip ang kalsada nato,” he said.

Despite some brief delays, Los Baños asserted that the overall flow of the procession from Fuente Osmeña Circle to the Basilica, through Osmeña Boulevard, was not affected.

Also, more than 600 PNP personnel were deployed to maintain the safety and security of the devotees during the procession, said Los Baños. He added that another 100 members of the Joint Task Group Cebu, consisting of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and other barangay forces have been augmented to assist the police.

As a reminder to the public, Los Baños urged churchgoers and attendees to be vigilant: “… padayon gihapon mo pagbinantayon sa tagsa-tagsa na kaugalingon ug i-secure lang gyud ang atong mga personal na mga importanteng mga gamit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Los Baños emphasized that the city police will maintain the safety and security of the public, while the CCPO continues to prepare for upcoming activities for the entire Fiesta Señor and Sinulog celebrations this year. - RAE (CEBU NEWS)