An estimated two million devotees and revelers alike on Sunday celebrated the Sinulog for the feast of the Santo Niño at the South Road Properties in Cebu City, after a two-year hiatus and unmindful of the sweltering heat of the sun—and almost a week of controversy over the change of venue of the festival.
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama opened the One Cebu Island Sinulog 2023 grand parade that gathered contingents from the city and different barangays.
About 1,700 police forces from the Cebu City Police Office helped secure the venue, augmented by security personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said about two million people came to the Queen City of the South to witness the Sinulog Grand Parade, including local and foreign tourists.
On Saturday, over three million people – residents and tourists alike– participated in the four-hour solemn foot procession for the feast of the Santo Niño De Cebu.
“It was generally people. It was the first time to have another Fiesta Señor, since in the past years we did not have it,” said CCPO director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog.
A grand fireworks display that lasted about 20 minutes capped Sunday’s dance showdown and parade.
In Tondo, Manila, and Bago Bantay, Quezon City, residents filled the streets for festivities to honor the Santo Niño.
A mass was celebrated at the Santo Niño de Tondo Parish at Sunday midnight, followed by a motorcade at 4 a.m.
In Bago Bantay, a grand procession marked the celebration Saturday evening, with devotees seen carrying the image of the Child Jesus.
Another procession was held Sunday morning followed by the fiesta Mass presided over by Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.
