CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Fr. Emilio Bataclan will lead the solemn Pontifical Mass for Fiesta Señor on behalf of Archbishop Jose Palma. Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, told The Freeman that he was informed of the change three days ago.
Palma would not be able to celebrate the high Mass at 6 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, during the feast day of the Sto. Niño as the day coincides with the Apostolic visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines. Palma will concelebrate the Holy Mass of the pontiff both in Tacloban City and Manila.
Meanwhile, the decision of the Basilica security officials to replace metal railings with white ropes to cordon the aisle at the Pilgrim Center inside the Basilica complex has yielded positive results. This will be adopted in the succeeding years, Mejares said.
“Mas epektibo siya kay katong railings delikado sa duot-duot, basin dunay mapiit simbako. With the rope, at least, makahibawo na sila nga di na sila pwede mu-forward without the risk nga mapiit. Ma-adjust ra sila,” he said.
WEATHER
PAGASA Visayas Director Oscar Tabada continues to caution devotees and tourists attending the religious and festival activities of the Sinulog of threats of rains and gusts of wind.
Today and tomorrow, winds measuring 20 to 25 kilometers per hour, as well as rains – from light to moderate, at times heavy – will most likely be experienced, he said.
It will still be cloudy and windy with 20-25 kph winds on Wednesday and Thursday while stronger winds at 25 to 30 kph will be felt Friday and on Saturday, the day of the fluvial parade and the fluvial procession.
On the day of Fiesta Señor and the Grand Parade, Cebu is expected to experience overcast skies with light showers and winds of 20 to 25 kph.
Tabada also said Tacloban and Palo in Leyte province where Pope Francis will visit will experience rains and winds. Cloudy and sunny periods with light rains and winds of 20-25 kph are expected for Wednesday and Thursday, January 14 and 15.
On the 16th, the day Pope Francis will be in Tacloban and Palo, stronger winds at 25-30 kph and cloudy skies with light to moderate and heavy rains can be expected due to the tropical depression.
The weather system is still outside the country off the Pacific Ocean and is reportedly expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Once inside PAR, it will be named “Amang,” the first tropical cyclone in 2015. (FREEMAN)