100T devotees join Traslacion, fluvial

CEBU, Philippines — More than 100,000 individuals yesterday joined the Traslacion and the fluvial processions of the images of Señor Sto. Niño and the Our Lady of Guadalupe in the three main cities in the metro.

Philippine Navy Spokesperson, Maria Amanda Precious Zamuco considered the 37th Fluvial procession of the image of miraculous child, Sr. Sto Niño, a success with about 5,000 devotees participating on board their sea vessels.

"Overall, the fluvial procession was a success. The participating vessels, both civilian and military, cooperated for the smooth flow of the procession. Partnerships between the military, local government units and non-government organizations were strengthened as everyone worked as a team," part of the Philippine Navy official statement reads.

This is the first time for the Philippine Navy to carry the image during fluvial procession through Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Agta.

The Philippine Navy also deployed a total of seven ships to accommodate other Sto. Niño devotees.

The image left at Captain Veloso Pier in Naval Forces Central at around 7 a.m. and left the Mactan Channel and made a U-turn at the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and went to Pasil before it was docked to Pier 1, where about 30,000 devotees awaited the arrival of the images for the procession going to Basilica.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Robert Quenery said the fluvial procession ended orderly and no untoward incidents were recorded.

"Generally peaceful. Walang naging problema. It ended very orderly," said Quenery.

The PNP has deployed at least 3,000 uniformed personnel including force multipliers to assure the safety and security of the devotees during the fluvial procession.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and the Lapu-Lapu City Council welcomed the images of Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe around 4 a.m. at the corner intersection of M.L. Quezon road in Barangay Pajo.

Roads leading to the National Shrine of Virgen dela Regla (NSVDR) including a portion of M.L. Quezon were closed around 1:30 a.m.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and members of the Mandaue City Council passed the holy images to them after a sendoff mass in the National Shrine of St. Joseph (NSSJ).

Several devotees also made makeshift altars with the image of Sto. Niño along the routes while the song "Batobalani sa Gugma" was playing in the background.

After the sendoff mass, the foot procession immediately proceeded.

Some residents whose houses are situated just along the route prepared some hot porridge, hot champorado and coffee which they distributed for free to those who participated in the procession.

Unlike in the past, this year's foot procession no longer ended at the Ouano Wharf in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Chief Inspector Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- City Intelligence Branch, said the activity drew a lot of people starting from the foot of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge until the sidewalks of the Traslacion route.

"Gikan sa bridge going down sa kalsada, daghan og taw nga niapil pud og sugat," Sucalit said.

Reserve Officers Training Course of Lapu-Lapu City College, Junior Police, boy scouts and selected high school students from the different schools in the city also helped in maintaining order.

The City Plaza and the City Auditorium were also filled with devotees carrying their own images of the Snr. Sto. Niño.

"Ang gawas sa simbahan kung asa ang mga widescreens napuno sab og tawo," Sucalit said.

Earlier, Supt. Rex Lomente, chief of operations of LCPO, said over 600 security personnel were deployed to secure the safety of the spectators attending the Traslacion.

After the holy mass at the NSVDR, the images were sent to the Naval Forces Central in Barangay Looc past 6 a.m. for the fluvial parade.

Devotees standing by the dock of the naval base waved goodbye to the Sto. Niño and to the lady patroness, who were carried on board BRP- Agta.

Radaza, in an interview, said that she wants the crowd control to improve as she noticed that the crowds were walking around by the time the convoy going to NSVDR started.

If given a chance, Radaza wanted the Traslacion to be done again in Lapu-Lapu next time.

Students from the Lapu-Lapu City College took part in the crowd control.

According to Engr. Saldy Bardago, a professor from the College of Technology in Lapu-Lapu City College, around 800 students from the different departments took part in the crowd control.

"Actually, for this Traslacion 2018, ang Lapu-Lapu City College, we sent about 800 students who are enrolled in Lapu-Lapu. We have the Education department, IT department, and HRM department," he said.

He added that the students were asked to be at their posts at 3 a.m. as they were assigned to cordon the area to give way for the vehicles that were boarded by the pilgrim images of Senior Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"Actually, for today's Traslacion, our participation is we have our drum and bugle corps and, also, we have the students assigned to cordon the place so with the faculty members and admin," he added.

Aside from the participation of Lapu-Lapu City College, Pajo Elementary School students from grades 4 to 6 also took part in the Traslacion as they danced in honoring the Holy Child.

"Offer ni siya namo sa Sto. Niño," said Dr. March C. Mandal, faculty and choreographer. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Ermida Q. Moradas, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Jheska Mhae A. Buton and Kristine Bernadette S. Porpayas (FREEMAN)