By Xander Ledesma
The Augustinian friars overseeing the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño have called on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) management to complete ongoing construction work on Osmeña Boulevard before the start of the Fiesta Señor celebrations.
Fr. Jon Ion Miranda, priory security head, appealed during a press conference on Tuesday for the construction to be completed by December 16 to ensure the boulevard is passable for the grand procession and the Misa de Gallo, which marks the beginning of the Fiesta Señor.
“We hope that by December 16, Osmeña Boulevard will be ready for devotees attending the Misa de Gallo, a key part of our Fiesta Señor simulation,” Miranda said.
Preparations for the 460th Fiesta Señor celebration in January 2025 are already underway. Fr. Jule Van Almerez, head of the fiesta secretariat, announced that the Basilica will impose stricter rules during the celebration, including a dress code and capacity limits.
The church began enforcing stricter entry rules on October 1, barring devotees and tourists wearing inappropriate attire. The Basilica will limit attendance to 5, 000 people at a time, closing entrances once capacity is reached.
The Fiesta Señor will kick off with the “Walk with Mary” on January 9, followed by the “Penitential Walk with Jesus” and Traslacion on January 17. Key events include the Fluvial procession, solemn foot procession, and reenactment of the first baptism in the Philippines on January 18, culminating in the 460th Fiesta Señor Mass on January 19.
Meanwhile, Capt. Jerome Lozada, chief of the Coast Guard Station-Cebu, announced that vessel registration for the Fluvial procession is underway. The registration aims to determine the number of personnel and assets required to ensure safety and security during the event.