Devotees join fluvial parade

CEBU CITY -- Hundreds of devotees flocked to Pier Uno, this city, early Saturday to witness the fluvial procession in honor of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Child Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño.

Captain Rolando Punsalan of Cebu Coast Guard said there were 65 sea-going vessels/boats, and martial sea crafts that were registered to join the event.

Punsalan added that there were about 20 to 30 unregistered vessels, which also joined the sea procession.

The pilgrim images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sr. Sto. Niño, which stayed overnight at the St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue City, left the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City around 7 a.m.

(Photos by Nera Mariz Puyo-USJR intern and Jay Ann Clamohoy/Sunnex)

A galleon, which carried the images, arrived in Pier Uno at 8 a.m.

Devotees flew balloons that carried their prayers. They also brought with them images of the Child Jesus.

Police, security guards, Cebu Ports Authority personnel, medical teams were deployed inside and outside Pier Uno to maintain peace and order.

Also present in welcoming the sea procession were Mabolo dancers, Sandiego Dance Troupe, Guadalupe Parish liturgical dancers, and the Cofradia del Sto. Niño dancers.

The images were brought to the Basilica del Sto. Niño for the annual Re-enactment of Cebu's First Mass and Baptism, which was presided by Father Jonas Mejares.

The re-enactment showed the history of Christianity in Cebu when Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, came and planted the huge wooden cross at its current site in Magallanes Street, Cebu City way back on April 14, 1521.

Father Mejares, in his homily, also reiterated the history of Cebu by singing a couple of lines from the song, "Magellan," which was composed by a cebuano, Yoyoy Villame.

A foot procession is also set today at 2 p.m. (USJR intern Nera Mariz Puyo/Jay Ann Clamohoy/Sunnex)