NAVAL, BILIRAN, Philippines — Faithful of this capital town in this island-province and those from as far as Hilongos town in Leyte yesterday welcomed the arrival of the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu, in the sacred icon's first visit outside of Cebu.
With colorful costumes, local dancers set the festive atmosphere of the procession from the port area to the parish church for the Concelebrated Mass officiated by Bishop Filomeno Bactol.
Naval State University president, Dr. Editha Henson, said the town felt blessed to be the first host of the Sto. Niño's visit outside Cebu.
"We are overwhelmed by this fortune," said Henson adding that the event united the government officials of Naval and she hoped that it will continue after the visit.
Mayor Arnold James Ysidoro of Leyte town in Leyte, one of the eight Todos Los Hermanos y Hermanas, told The FREEMAN that he was happy and proud to be a part of the historic visit.
He also rallied his constituents to a thanksgiving prayer to the Holy Child and St. Therese for sparing his town from the recent typhoon Ramon. "Praying for more protection against calamities is essential, especially with the recent Luzon experience," he said.
Representative Jun Alcover of ANAD party-list arrived from Manila for the Sto. Niño visit. " I don't mind traveling by land from Manila to catch up with this, and join my friends, Hilongos Mayor Jose Emery Roble and Rey Martinez."
Seeing the huge crowd welcoming the holy icon, Alcover said: "To the people of Region 8, the new guardians and all members of the party, this is the time when we shall move forward by giving our full support to the ecological evangelization mission of the Holy Child." (FREEMAN)