Thousands witness fluvial procession

CEBU, Philippines — Notwithstanding the gloomy weather, thousands of devotees, clustered in hundreds of marine vessels and lined along the bank of the waterway, joined the Fluvial Parade yesterday, the Vespers day of the 461st Fiesta Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu celebration.

For hours, the devotees, in their unwavering expression of faith, hope, and love for Senyor Santo Niño, boarded boats of various sizes to accompany the galleon of the Santo Niño sailing along the waters of the Mactan Channel, from Lapu-Lapu City to Cebu City.

According to the Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV), a total of 420 registered marine vessels participated in this year’s Fluvial, surpassing the 350 recorded last year.

The number of devotees on boats was categorized into two: the yellow category consisting of 275 small motorbancas, and the blue category of 145 big vessels. No jet skis participated in the event.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), reported that an estimated 5,000 devotees participated, either on board the boats for the Fluvial parade along the Mactan Channel or as spectators gathered along the channel bank from the Mandaue side up to the port decks of Pier 1 in Cebu City where the galleon of the Santo Nino docked on its arrival.

Compared to last year’s participants, however, this year’s was estimated to be fewer in number than in 2025, as observers noted that many people possibly chose to stay indoors instead due to the inclement weather, brought about by the tropical storm Ada that hit the eastern side of the Visayas.

But despite the light drizzles early in the morning yesterday, the Fluvial Procession concluded successfully and smoothly, according to the Coast Guard.

“The Fluvial Procession was successful. Satisfactory naman yung biyahe at it doesn’t have any untoward incidents throughout the Fluvial Procession,” said Captain Jerome Lozada, Station Commander of CGDCV.

The Fluvial Procession was conducted following the two-day Traslacion of the images of the Señor Santo Niño, Birhen sa Guadalupe, and St. Joseph from Cebu City to Mandaue City and then to Lapu-Lapu City.

The Holy Family was brought back, through the Mactan Channel, to Pier 1 and to their Son’s home at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

At 5:30 a.m. yesterday, a send-off mass was held, followed by the Foot Procession from the Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu to the port of the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) in the same city, where the official galleon and other marine vessels waited for the Fluvial event to Cebu City.

This year’s fluvial galleon is the MV Lite Ferry 10, a roll-on roll-off passenger vessel serving local routes, owned by Lite Shipping Corporation.

At around 6:30 a.m., the official galleon, intricately designed like a pre-colonial trading vessel,  embarked on its way to Pier 1 in Cebu City through the Cebu-Mactan Channel.

As the images of the Sagrada Familia sailed across the sea, hundreds of vessels, decorated with red and yellow flags, accompanied the galleon. Each vessel has devotees on board who were engaged in vibrant and festive activities, such as playing drums and bugles, dancing, and singing, while some were praying.

As the Fluvial progressed, two planes ripped through the skies and performed the traditional flower petals drop. The aircrafts, a Cessna 2109 and Cessna 1080, are owned by the Indiana Aerospace University and Ormoc Air.

Another large number of devotees flocked the portsides from Piers 5 to 1 of the Cebu Port Authority to witness the momentous journey of the Holy Family.

At 8 a.m., the official galleon docked at Pier 1, where the images of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the Holy Child were warmly welcomed by emotional devotees before they were brought back to the Basilica.

Afterwards, a reenactment was held at the Pilgrim Center to commemorate the discovery of the Image of the Holy Child and the first arrival of Christianity in Cebu.

Archival joins fluvial

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival joined the devotees during the Fluvial Procession while aboard the MRRV 4407, which is the lead vessel.

When asked what prompted him to board the ship, Archival explained that he and other city officials were assigned by the CGDCV to board it.  He added that this complied with the church's call not to allow politicians to board the official galleon, stressing that he had no problem with it.

Archival also shared that, in his second time to participate in the Fluvial and his first as the city mayor, he asked Señor Santo Niño for protection from calamities.

“Daghan kaayo ta’g katalagman niagi during my time and ang akong gi-ampo na dili unta magpadayon ang kaning mga ingon ani na sitwasyon kay it would be very difficult for the city,” he prayed.

Forty-two-year-old Analyn Cadungog, who is one among the thousands of devotees who joined the fluvial parade, shared her experience.

As a first timer, Cadungog shared that she traveled with her husband all the way from Lapu-Lapu City to secure a slot on the MRRV 4407—the vessel provided by the Coast Guard for Archival, media reporters, and other devotees.

She shared that they used to witness the event beneath the first bridge in Lapu-Lapu City. However, they opted to go to the Plaza sa Katawhan this year, following the route changes.

For the feast of Señor Santo Niño, Cadungog, a mother and a wife, prayed for good health, gratitude, longer life, and protection for her family.

“Kaning sa atong kinabuhi na mga pagsulay na ato ra sab malagpasan, ato lang i-ampo Niya (kay) Iya ra man sab ihatag ubanan pod sa paningkamot,” she shared. — (FREEMAN)