Motorcade kicks off ‘Birhen’ event

Due to rough waters, the Lapu-Lapu City government canceled the annual sea  procession that starts   the nine-day novena for the feast of the Virgin of the Rule, the city’s patroness.

It was the first time in 12 years that  a flotilla didn’t carry the Virgin’s image  down the Hilutungan  Channel.

Instead, a motorcade was held from barangay Subabasbas to barangay Poblacion where the Birhen sa Regla Church is located.

In his homily at the 10 a.m. Mass at the Birhen sa Regla Parish,  Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal called on the faithful to emulate newly canonized Saint Pedro Calungsod .

The motorcade passed through barangays Maribago, Agus, Mactan, Buaya, Ibo, Pusok, Pajo and Poblacion.

Schools and establishments along the way  displayed mini-altars with images and lighted candles. School children waved flaglets and lighted firecrackers.

An Air Force helicopter dropped confetti, with white and yellow flowers on the crowd.

The image of the Virgin of the Rule was  received by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza who carried the image into the church.

The image was later placed inside a glass urn at the altar.

Thirty minutes before  small boats were to sail for the fluvial procession, the cancellation was confirmed by the Coast Guard past 8 a.m..

Only  four motor bancas were at the assembly area at the Pacific Cebu resort, instead of the usual 30.

“We can’t risk the safety of participants  with the strong wind and waves,” said Commander Rolando Punzalan of the Cebu Coast Guard.

He  relayed the cancellation to participants after getting the go-signal from Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Chief Hembler Mendoza.

Before the procession, a Mass was held at 5:30 a.m. in  Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in barangay Marigondon.

From there a sea  procession was supposed to  take place leading to  the 10 a.m. Mass. Correspondents Norman Mendoza and Fe Marie Dumaboc