“Santo Niño at 500” launching today

CEBU, Philippines — Vehicular traffic will be rerouted temporarily in some parts of Cebu City today for the grand launch of the Quincentennial celebration of the arrival of the image of Señor Santo Niño in Cebu. 

The city’s traffic group said Osmeña Boulevard, from D. Jakosalem Street to P. Burgos Street, and P. Burgos Street, from Legaspi Street to Magallanes Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. until the “Santo Niño at 500” launch is finished at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

D. Jakosalem Street will have one-way vehicular flow from Osmeña Boulevard to Legaspi Street and from Osmeña Boulevard to Magallanes Street.

Motorists, drivers and other road users are advised to follow traffic signs installed at the re-routing area.

Mayor Edgardo Labella assured that the city government is prepared for the grand celebration.

Labella said Councilor David Tumulak is on top of the preparations in terms of disaster preparedness and security.

He encouraged the public to be part of the grand celebration.

"I hope we will all be there because this is for all of us... for the Cebuanos to celebrate and to commemorate," Labella said.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia will preside over the Holy Mass today at the Basilica.

At 3 p.m., a conference will follow, which will be attended by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, other Church leaders, and Augustinian friars of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu led by Rev. Fr. Andres D. Rivera Jr., OSA, Prior Provincial.

The unveiling of the official logo of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu in 1521 is one of the highlights of the event.

A concert featuring the Coro del Sto. Niño de Cebu of BMSN and the Troubadors and Coro Liturgico Agostino of the University of San Agustin – Iloilo will also be held after the Mass.

The 10-point agenda of the historical event and the official website of the quincentennial celebration, which occurs simultaneously with the Church’s observance of the 500th year of Christianity in the country in 2021, will also be presented. JMO (FREEMAN)