CEBU, Philippines — The Augustinian friars of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, in coordination with the Cebu City government and partner agencies, have announced major adjustments to the schedule of the 2026 Fiesta Señor, the 461st celebration of the country’s oldest and grandest religious festival.
Guided by the theme “In Santo Niño We Are One,” next year’s observance aims to deepen the spiritual experience of devotees and strengthen unity through faith, while implementing stricter crowd control and safety measures amid ongoing restoration works at the historic Basilica.
The 2026 theme, “In Santo Niño We Are One,” emphasizes unity through Christ, according to Fr. Albert Benedict Soliman, OSA, cluster head for Liturgical Celebrations. “It’s not just about gathering people, it's about uniting hearts in faith because unity founded on faith endures,” he said.
The 461st Fiesta Señor promises to be a spiritual renewal with millions of devotees expected to converge in Cebu City for the novenario, processions, and feast of the beloved Santo Niño.
In a press conference, the Augustinian community confirmed that the Walk with Mary, traditionally held on a Friday, will now take place on Thursday, 15 January 2026, at 4:00 a.m.
Following the dawn procession, the image of the Santo Niño will stay overnight at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, allowing more time for local devotees to venerate the Holy Child.
On January 16 (Friday), the image will then travel to the Nuestra Señora de Regla National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City for a second overnight stay before returning to Cebu City for the Fluvial Procession and Grand Solemn Procession.
“This adjustment responds to long-standing requests from devotees in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu who wish to spend more time with the Santo Niño,” explained Fr. Jules Van Almerez, OSA, media liaison of the Basilica. “It’s a pastoral decision to bring the Child Jesus closer to the people,” he said.
The new schedule extends the Traslacion and provides two nights for prayer vigils and Eucharistic celebrations in the twin cities.
Fluvial’s official galleon
The 2026 Fluvial Procession will feature the M/V Lite Ferry 10 as the official galleon, marking a historic partnership between the Basilica and Lite Ferries as the Guardian Sponsor for next year’s celebration.
“We are honored and humbled to serve as Guardian Sponsor for the 2026 Fiesta Señor,” said Lucio “Jun” Lim, CEO of Lite Ferries. “Our vessel, the M/V Lite Ferry 10, will lead the fluvial parade as a symbol of faith, devotion, and maritime excellence,” Lim said.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will enforce strict regulations for vessels joining the Fluvial Procession, including Lite Ferry 10. Only registered and seaworthy ships with valid safety certificates will be allowed to participate.
“Unauthorized jetskis and small crafts will be prohibited near the galleon route,” said LTJG Harold Silador of Coast Guard Station Central Cebu warned, adding that additional patrol boats and floating barriers will be deployed.
MARINA regional director Jose Cabatingam reminded vessel owners that only duly registered and seaworthy ships with valid certificates will be allowed to join the traditional fluvial parade honoring the Señor Sto. Niño.
“Those who wish to participate must ensure that their vessels are registered with MARINA and have valid safety certificates. The Coast Guard will be checking all these documents, and without them, vessels will not be permitted to join the procession,” Cabatingan said.
Among the documents required are the Passenger Ship Certificate, the Boat Captain’s Certificate, and the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate. The Coast Guard will verify these documents before official registration.
MARINA and PCG will hold a joint coordination meeting with maritime stakeholders on 25 November 2025 to finalize details, address logistical issues, and prepare safety measures ahead of the January 2026 fluvial event.
Hermano, Hermana mayores
Following the announcement of the official galleon, the 461st Fiesta Señor Hermano and Hermana Mayores, Mr. Edgar Mary Sarmiento and Mrs. Jennifer Helen Weigel-Sarmiento were also introduced.
The couple expressed humility and gratitude after receiving a letter of nomination from the Augustinian community last August. “It came as a surprise to us. We are humbled because throughout our lives, we have devoted everything to the Santo Niño, especially after the trials we’ve overcome,” said Mr. Sarmiento.
Mrs. Weigel-Sarmiento, a cancer survivor, gave an emotional message, sharing her deep faith and devotion to the Santo Niño and several Marian devotions.
“It’s a full-circle moment for our family. Being chosen as Hermano and Hermana Mayores is not just an honor but a way to give back in gratitude and service to Señor Santo Niño,” said the daughter of former Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ernest Weigel.
Security measures
Cebu City Councilor Paul Labra, who chairs the security committee for the fiesta, said coordination with the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and emergency units is ongoing to ensure peace and order.
“We’ll implement proven measures from previous years while tightening crowd management. Faith and safety must go hand in hand,” Labra said.
With preparations in full swing, authorities remind devotees and visitors alike to cooperate with security and traffic regulations to ensure a safe, orderly, and meaningful celebration of faith.
CCPO personnel deployment
With millions expected to flock to Cebu for the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog festivities, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has bared some of its security plans to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration.
The CCPO, in a press conference, said it will be deploying more than 5,000 police personnel to maintain public safety and security throughout the 2026 Fiesta Señor activities.
Police/Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Andeza, CPPO deputy director for operations, confirmed to the media that
security deployment will begin on January 8, the start of the Novenario, or during the Opening Salvo, involving at least 244 uniformed personnel who will be assigned near the vicinity of the Basilica.
Deployment continues until January 23 for the Hubo Mass, or the official closing of the celebration. “We will start controlling the church grounds as early as January 8. Devotees are advised to bring only small or transparent bags for faster inspection and to avoid wearing expensive jewelry,” he said.
Andeza said over a thousand police personnel will be deployed daily to secure the Basilica and nearby areas, with additional forces assigned for major events like Walk with Jesus, Walk with Mary Traslación, Fluvial Procession, and Grand Solemn Procession.
For the Penitential Walk with Jesus, also on January 8, about 745 policemen will serve as crowd controllers from the Fuente Osmeña Circle heading to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, a distance of 2.1 kilometers, said Andeza.
On January 15 for the Penitential Walk with Mary, around 1,400 police officers will be deployed along the same route, he added.
During the extended Traslacion and Overnight Stays of the image of the Holy Child, a total of 1,135 CCPO personnel will be sent to the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, on January 15 and 16, respectively.
During the Visperas celebration on January 17, at least 262 police crowd controllers will assist devotees in welcoming the marine vessel carrying the image during the traditional Fluvial Parade.
Following the anticipated Solemn Foot Procession in the afternoon, the CCPO is set to deploy another 1,400 to ensure the safety of the thousands of faithful who will participate.
Andeza also clarified that the total number of deployment, involves only police personnel under the CCPO, not counting the additional force multipliers, and those from other law enforcement groups.
Traffic management
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will enforce a no-parking policy along Basilica access roads and procession routes.
CCTO head Raquel Arce also warned motorists of a strict no-parking policy in areas surrounding the Basilica and along major procession routes. She said they will deploy newly acquired tow trucks and coordinate with private towing companies to ensure compliance.
“It defeats the purpose of our ordinances if vehicles still obstruct routes. We have two brand-new tow trucks, and our old ones have been repaired. We’ll also work with private operators who wish to assist during the fiesta,” said Arce.
“Please read the signs. If an area is marked ‘no parking,’ don’t insist. Violators will be towed,” Arce emphasized. — /RAE (FREEMAN)