NO mobile phone connection. No backpacks. No hats. No sunglasses. No fireworks. No drones.
These are the no-nos in festivals these days based on security measures imposed in the Manila and Cagayan de Oro processions Monday for the feast of the Black Nazarene.
Cebu started last Jan. 5 its celebration of the Sinulog 2017 with the Walk with Jesus procession in the early morning to open the nine-day novena at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. Another dawn procession dubbed as Walk with Mary is scheduled for this Friday, followed by the fluvial and afternoon foot procession on Saturday, and the grand parade this Sunday.
Police officials announced the fielding of more personnel to secure the events, called for the public’s cooperation, but they admitted they cannot assure there would be no disruptions. They said the gun ban is in effect. More security announcements are expected later in the week when a list of no-nos would be released.
Based on the traslacion or transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene to the Quiapo church in Manila and a similar procession in Cagayan de Oro, Sinulog goers could expect stricter rules to secure celebrations.
In Cagayan de Oro City, mobile phone providers Smart Communications and Globe Telecom suspended services for several hours Monday during the procession. The dead spot issuance was to prevent an explosive device from being triggered remotely, a Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro report said. Phone users did not have connection to text or make calls. The Leyte explosion in December and the bombing of a Davao city market last September were reportedly triggered from mobile phones.
Aside from the signal jamming, Cagayan de Oro security forces banned the use of backpacks and the wearing of caps or sunglasses. The public was urged to use transparent bags for their belongings, and told not to use facial covers that hide identity. Fireworks and drones were not allowed.
Similar restrictions were imposed during the traslacion for the Black Nazarene in Manila. About a million people attended and there was no major disruption except for over a thousand cases that reached the Red Cross.
It is understandable and necessary that security measures be in place to prevent trouble during Sinulog. Just don’t take away the religious meaning and a bit of the fun.
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Smile. You’re on Sun.Star cameras. This is our advice to Sinulog festival-goers when they see Sun.Star photo or video cameras. Their faces will be shown live, or with a slight delay, on www.sunstar.com.ph.
Even people outside of Cebu are invited to share their photos or video clips of their celebration of the Sinulog. The fiesta is obviously not limited to Cebu as Sto. Niño devotees in other parts of the world have their own versions of the procession or parade. They are welcome to share their celebration with others via the website.
This year’s Sinulog reporting by Sun.Star is expected to be comprehensive as events are shown also on social media, engaging, and live from the event venue if Internet connections allow. If signal jamming is resorted to as a security measure, video reports would be aired with a slight delay.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)