Devotees of the Child Jesus endured the showers to attend both the fluvial procession and reenactment of the first Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.
They joined the foot procession from St. Joseph Shrine in Mandaue City towards Ouano wharf where the galleon for the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sto. Niño waited to sail them back to the Basilica for the fluvial procession.
The Philippine Coast Guard said there were 106 vessels who joined the fluvial procession of which 61 of them are registered vessels.
The fluvial procession started at 6 a.m. despite the downpour and intermittent strong waves. Dark overcast skies didn’t discourage devotees who danced to the beat of Sinulog and sang the ‘Bato Balani sa Gugma’ while waving their own images of Sto. Niño.
The ships docked along the Mactan channel honked their horns as soon as the image of Sto. Niño passed from the Ouano wharf towards Pier 1. Devotees flew red and yellow balloons carrying their own prayer petition.
The fluvial procession for the first time went as far to the shoreline to the boundary between South Road Properties in Cebu City and Talisay City before going back to Pier 1.
The fluvial procession arrived at Pier 1 at 8 a.m. where a crowd of 8,000 devotees waited for the images to arrive, said Supt. Conrado Capa, acting Cebu City police chief.
The reenactment of the first Mass led by Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño was followed at the pilgrim center.