CEBU (UPDATED) — Participating vessels in this year's fluvial procession for the Santo Niño de Cebu have sailed Saturday as part of the Sinulog 2023 celebrations.

Also placed on a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the fluvial procession is making a comeback along with other activities.

The image of the Child Jesus was aboard BRP-Cabra, a ship of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) used for environmental enforcement.

There were 181 participating vessels this year, including 16 yachts, 17 tugboats, 131 motorbancas, and 17 vessels that weigh less than 300 gross tonnage, said PCG Central Visayas District Spokesperson Ltjg. Stephen Pagcaliwagan.

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The procession passed through the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, the Muelle-Osmeña port for the devotees, and Cebu City’s South Road Properties, before docking at Cebu City Port’s Pier 1.

It returned to the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño and a reenactment of the events that transpired in 1521 took place.

In the afternoon, a solemn foot procession is set to take place where historically over a million devotees attend.

Archdiocese expresses joy over return of fluvial procession

The clergy and the whole Archdiocese of Cebu expressed joy over the fluvial festival.

Archbishop Jose Palma, who joined the activity, reveled the Cebuanos’ devotion to the child Jesus even after a two-year hiatus.

“Abi nato magbalod pero Salamat sa Diyos, pinangga gyod ta,” (We thought it would be full of waves but thank God, we are blessed) said Palma.

He stressed that the devotees should continue to celebrate the 458th feast of Santo Niño De Cebu.

The friars running the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño noted that the fluvial festival went smoothly.

“Everything is going as planned,” said Rev. Fr. Ion Miranda.

The Sinulog 2023 Grand Parade and Finale will be held Sunday at the South Road Properties.

This year's festival carries the theme, "One Cebu Island Sinulog".

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— Report from Annie Perez