Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta activities kick off

CEBU, Philippines —  The 89th Fiesta Señora of Guadalupe de Cebu kicked off its preliminary activities this week with a motorcade and visit to the Cebu City Hall.

Mayor Michael Rama who just returned from Singapore led a prayer and personally received the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe yesterday right after the flag ceremony.

Rama asked for protection for the Cebuanos and the city away from any calamities, man-made or natural, just like before.

Rama told employees to believe in miracles.

“If you claim it..and believe..it will happen,” Rama said.

Rama emphasized to pray everyday and not just for lip service nor when disasters and personal problems come their way.

“Moabot na gani ang pagsulay…mauwahi na ang tanan…ayha pa mangayog pasaylo..usahay compromise pa ka kay naa na kas ICU…ayaw na na ninyo huwata,” added Rama.

Employees were also given a chance to pray and have some time for reflection with Cebu’s patroness.

After the Cebu City Hall, the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu was brought to the Cebu Provincial Capitol and then to the Virgen delos Remedios Parish in Labangon.

Today, the image will be going to the Parish of the Alliance of Two Hearts in Banawa.

The Blessed Mother will be brought to its first home, the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino tomorrow via traslacion.

On December 1, from the San Nicolas, the image will be brought to the Guadalupe barangay hall for the Walk with Mary going back to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu followed by the opening salvo mass.

December 2 will then be the start of the first novena mass until the fiesta itself on the 12th.

There are also other religious activities set with the last official activity being the hubo ritual on December 17. — GMR (FREEMAN)