Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The image of the Santo Niño paraded the waters of Mactan Channel in Cebu on Saturday morning (January 16) as the province celebrated the second day of this year’s Sinulog Festival.
The festival, which is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño, is expected to draw millions of domestic and foreign tourists until its grand parade on Sunday (January 17).
As part of the annual tradition, the image of the Holy Child has travelled the province since Friday (January 15), when it was taken from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City to Mandaue City via motorcade.
The fluvial parade followed Saturday morning, but a more solemn foot procession was set in the afternoon.
Locals and tourists also witnessed the traditional re-enactment of the first mass and baptism of Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana, when the Santo Niño was given to them by Magellan in 1521. This makes the image the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines.
Locals believe the Santo Niño has miraculous powers.
Throughout the celebration, women clung to the image in deep prayer, while devotees waved their white towels at it. Others filmed or took pictures of it.
This is part of the religious events leading to the grand parade on Sunday.
32 dancing contingents on grand parade
Spectators will see fewer dancing contingents in this year’s grand parade as compared to last year’s but the quality of the show will be exceptional, said Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation, in a meeting on Friday (January 15).
A total of 32 dancing contingents will be participating, and not all of them are from Cebu. Others are from Placer, Masbate; Panglao, Bohol; Lanao del Norte; Abuyog, Leyte; Tangub City in Misamis Occidential, and Catabalagon City in Samar Province.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Dave Tumulak reminded dancers to bring water to beat the intense heat on Sunday.
To avoid a stampede
Officials said spectators are prohibited from operating drones along the parade route.
The participating floats were also warned not to show faces of politicians.
To avoid a stampede, Ballesteros said product samples should not be thrown to the crowd but handed down to spectators instead.
Celebrities were also discouraged from boarding floats as these may also create a rush among the crowd which can possibly result in a stampede.
Some 100 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed around Cebu City as part of the security preparations.
Around 4,000 policemen have also been deployed in Cebu City, from the neighboring provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Northern Mindanao.
CNN Philippines’ Isabella Montano and Cebu City-based correspondent Dale G. Israel contributed to this report.
