‘Walk With Jesus’ Ushers in Cebu City’s 452nd Fiesta Señor Celebration

The celebration of the 452nd Fiesta Señor in honor of the Senor Sto. Nino de Cebu started early dawn Thursday with the “Walk with Jesus” procession.

The procession, participated in by tens of thousands of devotees, started at 4:30 a.m. Thursday from Fuente Osmeña on Osmena Boulevard in uptown Cebu City to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in the city’s downtown area.

The 452nd Fiesta Señor has the theme of “Santo Niño: Source of Communion, Protector of Creation.”

Except for Jan. 5 and 14, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino will be open 24 hours daily, with novena masses at 4 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m., the last novena mass.

The Fiesta senor is celebrated with both religious and cultural activities in the city.

The religious activity, which was ushered in by the Walk with Jesus procession Thursday dawn, will be capped with a solemn procession of the Holy Image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The cultural celebration, on the other hand, will launched on Friday and will be capped with the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, Jan. 15.

The Sinulog is one of the top tourist drawers in the country, attracting millions of both local and foreign tourists.

Organizers are preparing tighter security measures for the Sinulog after the bombing in Hilongos, Leyte during its fiesta which left at least 34 people injured.

Some 5,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and auxiliary force will be deployed to secure the event and the spectators. (PNA)JMC/EB/MEC