SINULOG UPDATES

PALMA’S FIRST STO. NIÑO PROCESSION

FOR the first time, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will be joining the solemn procession of the Sto. Niño since he assumed as Cebu’s archbishop a year ago.

He will carry the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu from its altar to the carroza and return it inside the basilica after the 6.8-kilometer solemn walk tomorrow afternoon.

Palma, 61, is also expected to join the fluvial procession tomorrow morning.

”I will join as many possible activities,” said Palma in an interview.

The prelate will officiate the pontifical Mass on the feast of the Sto. Niño on Sunday morning.

“This child we call Sto. Niño is the son of God. We raise our hands before the Lord. We lift our hearts and voices in praise to God,” he said.

He said the raising of hands during the chorus of the hymn “Bato-Balani sa Gugma” (Magnet of Love) is a “unique” gesture.

“The person who doesn’t feel the meaning of raising the hands won’t understand Christ’s divinity,” he said.

The act of raising the hands manifests a total surrender before the Lord.

Palma is amazed by how thousands of people wait for their turn in long lines to kiss the glass containing the Sto. Niño for just a few seconds.

He said these people were just like the sick woman who, out of faith, touched the cloak of Jesus in the presence of a crowd.  Reporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL

BUSES FOR PARADE-GOERS

BUSES will be available on Sunday to transport visitors who will be watching the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Ahmed Cuizon, director of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board in Central Visayas, said a Ceres bus will be stationed at the Imus Road that will bring parade-goers to Ayala and SM while another bus will be stationed at the Librando terminal across E-mall to transport people to Pardo and Guadalupe churches.

The commuters will only pay a fix fare of P10.

Cuizon said since most roads near the Abellana Grandstand will be closed, they have thought of coming up with this project as their way of helping parade-goers who have to walk far to get a ride in going home.

He said this program would be a yearly activity. The buses will be serving the public from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Correspondent Fe Marie Dumaboc

DEVOTEE CITY OPENS

THE Cebu City Government will once again open today its Devotee City to transients who are coming to the city for the feast of the Holy Child.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, Devotee City program chairman, said it can accommodate at least 3,000 people.

The Cebu City Government has thought of establishing a Devotee City several years ago to provide shelter to less privileged devotees of the Sto. Niño.

The city has set up 100 pieces of 20-foot container vans from 2Go at the old Compania Maritima building located across City Hall’s executive building.

Transients are required to present their bus or boat ticket upon registration.

Ten containers are set aside for the city’s street dwellers.  Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac