Devotees brave rain in 'Walk for Jesus'

Despite intermittent rain, thousands of devotees joined the yearly "Walk for Jesus" yesterday dawn from Fuente Osmeña Boulevard to the Basilica which served as the opening salvo for activities lined up this year in observance of the annual feast of the Señor Sto. Niño. At around 4:00 a.m., devotees bringing candles and images of the Holy Child converged at the Fuente Osmeña designated as the starting point of the procession.

The dawn walk began at 4:30 a.m. and was followed by a Holy Mass presided by Fr. Andrew Batayola and the installation of the Hermano and Hermana Mayores.

The Basilica del Sto. Nino has already implemented measures to safeguard the tens of thousands of devotees expected to flock at the Basilica during the festivity.

Security forces at the Basilica have already been augmented to keep watch of the safety of the droves of devotees. Aside from additional security guards, medical teams will also be augmented to attend to the needs of the growing number of devotees. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV