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Friday, January 06, 2006
Extra cops in Cebu for launch
President Arroyo is expected in Cebu today to witness the start of the Sinulog celebration and lead the 46th Charter Day of Toledo City.
Although no meeting is on the official schedule, government media group chief Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo may wish to discuss preparations for this December’s Asean summit.
“She wants to talk about it because it is a big affair for the Philippines and particularly for the people of Cebu,” Remonde, who will accompany Arroyo in her visit, told Sun.Star Cebu.
But any meeting today on the matter will be short because Arroyo has engagements in Manila, he said.
President Arroyo will be at the Maria Barba Sports Complex in Barangay Poblacion, Toledo City at 10:30 a.m. to deliver a speech for the city’s Charter Day celebration.
She will take her lunch at the Cebeco complex before hearing the 2 p.m. mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.
The President will fly to Manila after the mass, which signals the start of the Sinulog activities.
Security
The Cebu City Police Office is deploying more than 100 policemen for today’s opening of the Sinulog festivities.
One battalion or over 100 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group will arrive early today to augment security for the fiesta, said Cebu City Police Office Acting Director Melvin Gayotin.
Uniformed policemen, as well as covert operatives, will be deployed to serve as security and intelligence personnel.
Parish security groups will also be tapped for the religious activities.
Thousands of devotees woke up early yesterday to join the foot penitential procession that marked the beginning of the Fiesta Señor.
The procession, which assembled at Fuente Osmeña, started its march towards the Basilica del Sto. Niño at 4:30 a.m.
In-house security of the basilica confirmed that the procession did not meet any disturbance.
Samson Dasoc, liaison officer of the Parish Security Group Federation (PSGF), said the crowd was “normal and manageable.”
Around 19 members of the PSGF augmented the more than 100 policemen assigned to watch over the parade and to organize the crowd inside the basilica.
The procession ended with a mass at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center, which was packed.
Noting that many were barely awake at the mass, officiating priest Fr. Andie Satura kept the crowd alert by entertaining them with a story that allowed people to interact with the priest.
In his homily, Satura encouraged people to be exceptional Christians.
He said there are a number of similarities between a mobile phone and the Bible. Both have texts and both have messages. However, he said, the public often reads texts in the cellphone, but rarely in the Bible.
Before the celebration ended, basilica rector Fr. Andrew Batayola introduced Engr. Rogelio Sanchez and wife Rosalina as this year’s hermano and hermana mayor. The hermano and hermana mayor are considered chief promoters or movers of the feast.
Certificates were also handed out to last year’s couple, Judge Romualdo and Virginia Fernandez.
The mass and the event ended with devotees shouting “Viva Pit Señor” thrice, raising their images of the Señor Sto. Niño. (AIV/JST/JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 6, 2006 issue)
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