DANAO City is set for a historic celebration on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, as the 45th Karansa Festival coincides with the first-ever visit of Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
Brown, the Pope’s representative to the country, will join the grand festivities in honor of Danao’s patron saint, Santo Tomas de Villanueva. He will attend the Mass to be celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who will also be marking his final service for the Archdiocese of Cebu.
“This is a great honor for the city and a blessing during the Jubilee Year 2025,” said PJ Balasabas of the St. Tomas de Villanueva Parish.
Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III described the visit as a source of pride for Danao, while Vice Mayor Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano highlighted that preparations had been extensive, supported for the first time in years by the Cebu Provincial Government.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, who approved a P3 million subsidy for the event, will also attend — the first governor to join the Karansa in nearly a decade.
To add solemnity, an 80-member grand choir will perform during the Mass. The city’s nightly festivities, which began on Sept. 11, will culminate with Sunday’s highlight events: a street dance starting 1 p.m. from City Hall to the Ramon M. Durano Sr. Sports Complex, followed by the ritual showdown and Karansa Festival Queen competition at 6 p.m.
The ritual dance, known for its distinct four-step routine and colorful costumes, will award P300,000, P200,000 and P100,000 to the top three winners.
Security
With the Papal Nuncio’s attendance, security is tight.
The Cebu Police Provincial Office will deploy additional personnel, while the Highway Patrol Group 7 will escort Archbishop Brown from the Archbishop’s Palace to Danao.
“He must be given the proper honors and protection as an official representative of the Holy See,” said Reverend Father Wendell Balbuena of the Cebu Archdiocese.
The city’s celebration continues on Monday, Sept. 22, with the feast day of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. / AYB / Bryce Ken Abellon, USJ-R intern