Not a drop of rain fell in yesterday’s traditional foot procession of the Sto. Niño de Cebu, defying weather forecasts of a drenched walk through major roads of Cebu City.
Police said 1.6 million turned up for the religious activity, a bigger crowd than last year’s. The procession lasted about five hours, with the head contingent returning to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño at 6:40 p.m.
It also caused severe traffic jams in side roads, and bumper-to-bumper traffic in the approach to the South Coastal Road and North Reclamation Area where vehicles were diverted.
Despite the mammoth crowd, the mood was solemn with no major disruption.
Good weather likewise favored the fluvial procession down the Mactan Channel at 7 a.m. following a downpour before dawn that cleared up in time for the sea voyage.
“I’m not surprised,” said boat owner Joy Roble of Roble Shippping, who said a “miracle” is not unusual on the day of the fluvial parade, like the time a double rainbow appeared in the sky a few years ago as boats were trailing behind the “galleon” of the Sto. Niño.
His passenger vessel “Beautiful Stars” was one of over 160 ships at sea, ferrying family, friends and devotees.
“The Sto. Niño looks down at the people, and sees their hearts. If he likes what he sees, he makes sure something will happen,” he said in Cebuano.
The crowd estimate was given by Chief Insp. Romeo Santander of the Cebu City Police Office intelligence bureau. He said this year’s attendance was a bigger crowd than last year’s.
At the basilica, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma carried the image of the child Jesus from an altar in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño to a flower-decked carroza waiting outside the church.
Palma, who was nursing a cough and cold, was unable to join the foot procession, which covered a 6.8-kilometer route.
Bells at the basilica pealed when the carroza of Sto. Niño, escorted by priests, emerged from the basilica at about 2 p.m.
Balloons and confetti greeted the image. Devotees waved their hands in greeting or applauded as the Sto. Niño passed by.
Thousands walked shoulder to shoulder in a tight procession behind the images of St. Joseph and the Our Lady of Guadalupe going ahead of the carroza bearing the Sto. Niño.
At the basilica’s Pilgrim Center, Msgr. Cristobal Garcia led in praying the rosary, which was said in different languages and broadcast live over radio stations, as hymns were sung.
At times, he would remind the crowd to allow the carroza to pass through so its arrival at the basilica won’t be delayed.
An image of the Sto. Niño de Teniente of San Nicolas church (Sto. Niño the soldier) was stationed in a carroza in front of the church.
This traditionally guards the basilica when the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu is out for the annual grand procession, explained Garcia.
Hymns of the “Bato Balani sa Gugma (Magnet of Love)” were repeatedly sung, with devotees raising their hands in the air in thanksgiving and surrender.
At one point, Msgr. Garcia, along with the clergy, nuns and devotees in the jam-packed Pilgrim Center, danced to an upbeat Sinulog version by musician Manny Lapingcao.
Impatient devotees who were not able to get inside the Pilgrim Center also got rowdy and had to be pacified by security guards at the basilica.
The foot procession passed through Osmeña Boulevard.
Upon reaching the Fuente Osmeña circle, the procession proceeded to General Maxilom Avenue, Imus Street, MJ Cuenco Avenue, Gomez Street, Burgos Street, and back to the basilica.
Among those who joined the procession were Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s first district, Rep. Rachelle Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar of Cebu City’s north district and her father Raul.
Gullas said he’s never missed the annual procession except for a period “during the war years” to thank the Sto. Niño for all the graces he and his family received.
Cebuanos, he said, are also grateful for being spared from calamities in the past years.
“We must be thankful because if the volume of rain that fell in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Negros Oriental happened in Cebu, the worst might have happened,” he said.
The carroza of the Sto. Niño was heavily guarded by blue guards, military soldiers and college students under the National Service Training Program.
After the procession, Mass was officiated by Bishop John Du of Dumaguete City with the University of Cebu choral singing the liturgical hymns.
Once the Mass was over, the throng in the outdoor Pilgrim Center all joined with clergy members in dancing the traditional sinulog as a community act of joyous prayer.
Today, the feast day of the Sto. Niño, Archbishop Palma will officiate a pontifical Mass at 6 a.m.
He will also say Mass at 8 a.m. at the Cebu City Sports Center, where main presentations of the Sinulog grand parade will be held until evening. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Tweeny Malinao, Fe Marie Dumaboc, Jhunnex Napallacan and Edison de los Angeles