Marina declares ‘galleon’ for fluvial procession seaworthy

It’s all systems go for tomorrow’s fluvial procession in honor of the Sto. Niño in Cebu.

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday said the white private yacht that will be spruced up to look like a Spanish galleon was seaworthy.

The MV Sto. Niño de Cebu will bring the pilgrim image of the Holy Child down the Mactan Channel followed by a a flotilla of fishing boats and larger vessels.

The activity is both solemn and festive, with many vessels carrying devotees who are praying, dancing or feasting on board.

Flower petals will be air-dropped by two helicopters that will fly above the flotilla.

The fluvial procession will start at 6 a.m. from a new venue, a wharf behind the Mandaue district hospital.

The state-owned Pagasa weather bureau issued a gale warning at 9 a.m., and warned small seacrafts not to venture out to sea due to big waves and strong winds, but the final decision whether to allow vessels to sail falls on the Coast Guard.

As of yesterday, no order was given to halt any sea voyages.

Philippine Coast Guard Cebu Station commander Rodolfo Villajuan said the religious sea parade would push through even as officials continue to assess weather and sea conditions.

“Small sea vessels can join the fluvial procession as long as they register with the Coast Guard,” Villajuan said.

As of noon yesterday, 39 boats signed up. Boat owners and operators have until today to register for tomorrow’s event.

The coast guard will inspect all vessels participating in the fluvial parade to ensure there is no overloading.

The fluvial procession falls on the vesperas or last day of a series of nine day novenas Massess leading up to the Sto. Niño feast day on Sunday, which is also the day of the Sinulog grand parade.

Only Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, some priests and men dressed as the Spanish guardia civil will sail on the “galleon”, said lawyer Pat Acabodillo, head of the traslacion, fluvial, and reenactment committee.

“No politicians or VIPs are allowed inside the galleon,” he said.

The yacht which will head for Pier 1 in Cebu City is part of the reenactment of the arrival in 1521 of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who planted a cross in the vicinity where the Sto. Niño Basilica now stands.

The holding of the first Mass and baptism of Rajah Humabon and his subjects will also be reenacted on Saturday at the basilica.

The “galleon” will carry icons of the Holy Child and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The M/V Sto. Nino de Cebu, which is owned by the Ouano family of Mandaue City, was among several vessels that took part in yesterday morning’s dry run at the Mactan Channel.

It took about one hour and 45 minutes for the galleon to depart the Ouano wharf in Mandaue City and reach Pier 1 in Cebu CIty.

“If we just follow the exact time and schedule on Saturday, we’ll achieve the target time,” said Villajuan.

A 6 a.m. start will ensure the galleon reaches Pier 1 of Cebu City int imte for 8:30 a.m. Mass at the basilica.

A tugboat and patrol boats will at sea following the flotilla in case any vessel encounters a problem.

PRAYERS

The Augustinian friars, to whom the centuries-old image of the Sto. Niño was entrusted, asked people to pray for good weather and a safe procession.

“The rector (Fr. Jonas Mejares) and many priests in their homilies always encourage devotees to pray for good weather and for all the religious events to proceed as planned,” said lawyer Paulino Yabao, adviser of the Fiesta Señor 2014.

People flock along the shore, piers, and two Mactan bridges to witness the procession. Many bring their Sto. Nino images and wave as the galleon pass.