In solidarity with war and typhoon victims, the Augustinian fathers of the Basilica del Sto. Niño will not have a fireworks display on the eve of the Fiesta Señor in January 2018.
Fr. Noel Cogasa, OSA, who is in charge of the liturgical celebrations in the basilica, said they deemed it more important to use the money supposedly intended for the fireworks display for a noble cause.
“We decided to instead give the money for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, for victims of the different typhoons, and for the renovation of a church in Villaba, Leyte,” he said in a press conference at the basilica’s convent sala on Thursday.
In previous years, the basilica spent about P100,000 for the pyrotechnics display after the one-hour traditional Sinulog dance at the church’s Pilgrim Center.
The basilica already sent P300,000 in donations for victims of the Marawi siege last August but found the need to add some more to help victims of the war.
Although there will be no fireworks display on January 20, the usual traditional Sinulog will proceed after the solemn procession of the Sto. Niño, and the 6 p.m. Pontifical Mass to be presided over by Palo Archbishop John Du.