A 22-YEAR-OLD vessel named after a Cebuano bishop being groomed for sainthood will serve as the official galleon of the Holy Child in next year’s Fiesta Señor.
The LCT Teofilo Camomot, owned by Mandaue Shipping and Lighterage Corp. (MSLC), was the second vessel chosen by organizers of next year’s Fiesta Señor to serve as the official galleon for the fluvial or seaborne procession.
Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, head Secretariat for Fiesta Señor 2020, confirmed to SunStar Cebu of their decision to field MSLC’s vessel as next year’s fiesta galleon.
MSLC is owned and operated by businessman Hector Wong.
“Our main process in choosing our galleon is that we either invite or for those who are interested, they pass their letter and present themselves as one of those who want to sponsor our galleon. Before we decide, we have checked their documents and the vessel itself,” Reyes said.
Reyes said among the considerations the organizers weighed was the vessel’s sea worthiness and its capacity in accommodating not only members of the religious community but pilgrims and other fluvial guests.
Raphael Wong, son of Hector Wong, for his part, said they are honored for being given the opportunity.
“The vessel is named in honor of the Servant of God, Archbishop Teofilo Camomot. We hope that by using this vessel during the fluvial procession people will get to know him more as we continue to pray for his beatification,” Raphael said.
The vessel, built in 1997, has a gross tonnage of 276.56 tons.
In the past 37 years, the family of Ernesto Ouano Sr. prepared the galleon. The seaborne parade also started at the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City. That was stopped last year.
The Philippine Navy boat carried the images in last year’s seaborne procession, which started at the Naval Forces Central in Barangay Looc, Lapu- Lapu City. (WBS)