Fluvial parade kicks off Sinulog festival

CEBU — The Mactan Channel was transformed into a sea of colors in yesterday’s fluvial procession as devotees re-enacted the arrival of the image of Señor Sto. Niño here more than four centuries ago.

The parade was a pre-celebration of today’s Sinulog festivities where local and foreign visitors will be treated to a grand mardi gras to be participated in by 103 contingents, floats and higantes.

The image of the Holy Child was transported from the Ouano wharf to Pier 1 aboard the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu, which represented the "galleon" that brought the original Sto. Niño to Cebu.

About 70 boats gaily decorated with flowers, balloons and buntings, trailed the "galleon" which also carried the image of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, as helicopters showered confetti.

Both images were placed on board the galleon at about 6:45 a.m., escorted by episcopal vicar Bishop Antonio Rañola and Fr. Dan de los Reyes, parish priest of St. Peter Church, after a pontifical Mass at the St. Joseph’s Parish in Mandaue at 4 a.m.

The galleon passed by the Muelle Osmeña wharf, Ouano fishport, Cebu International Port, Cebu Port Authority and Piers 3 and 2, where devotees lined up.

As the Sto. Niño’s image passed by, people cheered, clapped, waved, threw flowers, released balloons into the sky and even displayed fireworks.

Coast Guard officials and lifeguards on board separate boats maintained order among the participants and were on alert for contingencies. — Freeman News Service