CEBU CITY - Around 1.4 million devotees took part in the solemn procession for the 460th Fiesta Señor or the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu. 

The Cebu Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that there were minor incidents but were all “manageable.”  

Many devotees started from the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño and treaded the route that spanned 5.7 kilometers.  

Others joined along the way like as 54-year-old Conchita Gloria. 

“I always join every year, it is my promise,” she said in Cebuano. 

Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the security sector, said that the carroza of the Santo Niño de Cebu arrived after three hours, which was faster than usual.  

“Maybe because it was very hot,” said Garganera.

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However, this did not stop the devotees who were still walking up to the fourth hour. 

Around 160 devotees lost consciousness or became dizzy along the way. All were given immediate care.

“It was a success, nothing serious,” added Garganera. 

The procession ended with a solemn visperas mass. 

FLUVIAL PROCESSION 

Prior to the foot procession, a fluvial procession of the Santo Niño was held at the Mactan Channel.

Over 500 vessels that included motorbancas, passenger boats and yachts guided the Child Jesus as it crossed the Mactan Channel. 

The number includes both registered and unregistered vessels.

They also originally registered more than 300 vessels but there were unregistered motorbancas that joined in the procession midway. 

This year, the “galleon” or the official vessel of the image of the Santo Niño Cebu was a new commercial vessel called MV Santo Niño Cebu. 

Paul, a balikbayan from California, USA, was in tears upon seeing the Santo Niño on the sea. 

He was onboard MRRV 4402 of the Philippines Coast Guard as a guest.

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“It’s a different feeling to see it for the first time after twelve years. I’m a devotee of the Santo Niño,” he shared. 

Like other devotees onboard the other vessels, he waved his hands at the galleon in reverence of the Child Jesus. 

Others stayed by the sidelines of the Cebu City pier and waited for the galleon to pass by.

Flowers were also dropped from a chopper towards the galleon. 

The route of the fluvial procession started from the Captain Veloso Pier of the Naval Forces Central up to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and docked at the Pier 1 of the Cebu City Port. 

It was met with a reenactment of the arrival of the Santo Niño in Cebu during the year 1521. 

The Coast Guard said around 8,000 devotees were onboard the vessels.

“The event was generally safe, with no major incidents reported. However, there were four minor incidents and some unfavorable occurrences,” said Ensign Abel Lomboy in a text message sent to reporters. 

These included unregistered motorbancas that joined the parade despite clear advisories and regulations and some registered vessels were not in their designated places, causing minor disruptions to the organized flow of the parade.

Despite this, the Cebu City Police said that everything went well as planned. 

“We’re very glad that people are very cooperative and very mindful,” said Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police. 

They also said they are ready for the Sinulog Festival Sunday. 

The public will expect 45 dancing contingents, the biggest by far for Cebu City.

Sunday is the 460th feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu. The celebration will start with a pontifical mass.