1.8M join Sto. Niño solemn procession

By Ryan Christopher J. Sorote  and Niña G. Sumacot (The Freeman) 

CEBU, Philippines - Under a clear sky and cooperating weather, almost two million people trooped to the streets to take part in the solemn procession of the miraculous image of Santo Niño yesterday afternoon.

Longer route and threats of terrorism did not dampen the spirits of devotees from joining the five-hour procession, which started at the Basilica del Santo Niño around 1:30 pm. 
“This is a religious activity for everyone. This shows that people are not worried about these threats, they no longer think of it,” said Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe.
Buenafe estimated the crowd at more than 1.8 million, an increase of 300,000 from last year’s police estimate of 1.5 million.

The increase was due to good weather, he claimed.

From the Basilica del Santo Niño, the procession passed through Osmeña Boulevard to Fuente Osmeña. It then proceeded to General Maxilom Avenue, Imus Road, MJ Cuenco Avenue, F. Urdaneta Street and P. Burgos Street before arriving back at the basilica at 6:30 p.m.
“Generally peaceful ang atong celebration, walay untoward incidents aside from several thieves’ who were caught,” Buenafe said.

As part of police’s security measures, surveillance cameras were installed along the route.   
“Duha ka dalan ang gi-occupy sa mga tawo from Osemeña then mi-sulod sila sa rotunda,” said the city police director, who augmented the security at the basilica when the procession was approaching.
“Expected na ang mga problema sa (Basilica) Santo Niño mao na I sent more men,” he said.

The police expect more people to flock to the streets for the Sinulog today.   

Rev. Fr. Rodolfo A. Bugna, the basilica rector, estimated the crowd inside the basilica at around 100,000.

Col. Reymundo Bañares Jr., group commander of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group, told The FREEMAN that yesterday’s good weather condition contributed to the increase of the crowd. 

Bañares, who headed a battalion of the 1st Cebu Ready Reserve in securing roads towards the Basilica, said the crowd was far more cooperative this year.

The military’s Central Command was in charge of crowd control.

Mass

Don’t make the Santo Niño a magician.

This was the message of Reverend Bishop John Du who celebrated last night’s Pontifical Mass at the basilica after the procession.

“Dili nato himuon ang Sto. Niño nga madyikero, dang-panan lang kung naa ta’y kinahanglan. Ug di ra ba ta tagaan, dayon ta pangluod, magmahaymahay. Dapat atong pagtuo atong pabungahon sa tagsa-tagsa nato ka kinabuhi,” he told devotees during his homily.

Thousands of devotees flocked to the basilica yesterday for the 7 p.m. Mass. Others just heard the Mass outside as the pilgrim center was already filled.

Du said he was pleased to see a massive number of devotees attending the Mass, which showed that the Sr. Santo Niño is the refuge of every Filipino family.

“Daghan ta mitambong bisan tuod kapoy. Ngano magsakripisyo pa man ta og ari na naa man tay altar sa ato? Kini tungod kay ang atong pagtuo nagtukmod kanato na kita tanan magkahiusa,” he said.

Du said a Christian’s faith always has communal dimension as it gets deeper if it is expressed along with fellow believers.

“Ang atong pagtuo mangita na og lugar for communal expression because we do not believe alone; we strengthen each other’s faith,” the bishop said.

However, he emphasized that faith is not only up to being one in expressing it.

“Ato kini (faith) puy-an. Kay kung dili ni nato puy-an, ang atong pagtuo mabaw ra,” Du said.

“Basin kuntento na lang ta og sayaw-sayaw, magprosesyon, ug mosimba unya sa tagsa-tagsa nato kapanimalay, wa nagkahiusa, ug wa ta’y mga batasan? Kinsa man mga bana nag-wara-wara sa Sto. Niño karon pero nagwara-wara ug kutsilyo sa ilang balay? Kinsa man diri mga asawa na musimba inig ka-Byernes pero di musimba og Dominggo kay nag-mahjong? Kamong mga estudaynte karon na wa magtinarong og skwela, wa ba mo maglantaw sa inyong kaugmaon? Di ra ba makakuyog ang inyong ginikanan hantod sa hangtod. Kinsa ma’y inyong dangpan, ang Sto. Niño? Gihimo man ninyo Siya nga madyikero!” Du said.

After the Mass, the traditional one-hour Sinulog dancing followed.

Du said the Sinulog dance is a prayer to the Santo Niño, not as a way to sweet-talk Him.
“Kining atong pag-Sinulog pag-ampo kini, dili pag-ulog-ulog sa batang Sto. Niño. Siya atong hari,” he said.

He said true faith is also expressed through protecting the environment otherwise Mother Nature will take its revenge just like what happened to the cities destroyed by typhoon Sendong. — /LPM (FREEMAN)