Despite security concerns, weather: 800K join in walk

CEBU, Philippines - The streets of Cebu City were busy as early as dawn yesterday as the reenactment of the annual encounter of the Holy Family drew thousands of devotees participating and witnessing in the activity that marked the last day of the nine-day novena.

His first time to witness the event since he was assigned the rector of the basilica, Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr. said he was moved by the scenes he saw along the route as he joined the transfer of the two religious images.

"Sigon sa akong nakita, daghan akong nakit-an nga nitambong… Wala'y paghupay ang mga tawo," he told reporters yesterday, "nakita nako ilang kalipay. Naay nagsayaw. But adunay touching nga experience, more than 10 people ang naghilak."

Participating in the dawn procession, thousands walked with the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe --honored as the Queen and Patroness of Cebu-- as it was carried by devotees to the basilica in downtown Cebu City.

The image left its parish church past 3 a.m. making its way to the Fuente Osmeña Circle before heading to the basilica.

A 5:30 a.m. a Mass followed presided over by Fr. Manuel Tan, the team moderator of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, reflecting on the theme of this year's 452nd Fiesta Señor, "Santo Niño: Source of Communion, Protector of Creation."

In his 13-minute homily, Tan echoed Pope Francis' encyclical letter titled "Laudato Si" that calls for caring for the environment, reminding the faithful of their role in protecting God's creation.

If people abuse the natural creations, he said every person suffers the consequences, recalling the two destructive calamities in 2013 --the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda.

After the Mass, the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe was then transported with the image of Sto. Niño via motorcade to the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City for an overnight vigil and veneration.

At 7:04 a.m., the two images left the exit gate of the basilica for the "Traslacion" or the transfer of the images to Mandaue City that took about two hours.

Along the route, the motorcade met traffic. Many people also waited by the side of the road for a glimpse of the two images. Many had their own images of the Sto. Niño and other religious images displayed on adorned tables beside the streets.

Beyond venerating the religious images, Father Daniel Sanico told parishioners and pilgrims during the Mass that followed the transfer, that demonstrating good deeds even in small gestures was a way of manifesting one's devotion and faith.

Sanico, the team moderator of the shrine, said the faithful should have a deeper regard in their devotion, not only present in honoring the images, but also allowing their faith to experience miracles by initiating steps in doing something good things even how little they may seem.

He took as an example the simple act of throwing the garbage in the trashcan, a small but extraordinary act that shows we can take good care of God's creations.

The crowd that walked with and met the images was estimated at 800,000 according to Senior Police Officer 4 Graciano Tan II of the Mobile Patrol Group.

Police Senior Superintendent Joel Doria said there were no untoward incidents reported.

He added that at least 450 security personnel 16 mobile cars and two teams of Special Weapons and Tactics were fielded in different strategic areas to secure the crowd yesterday.

The police, however, said they have not received threats for Sinulog. activities. — May B. Miasco and Michael Vencynth H. Braga (FREEMAN)