Festivity opens with 12K in church, streets

Festivity opens with 12K in church, streets

LET faith be the evidence of what is unseen, with Señor Sto. Niño serving as the model of unity.

This was the message of Msgr. Roberto Alesna to some 12,000 devotees who attended the mass celebrated yesterday in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño before the official launching of the Sinulog festivities.

In his homily, Alesna reminded the people of the importance of unity among Cebuanos in living a peaceful and loving life.

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love. Why do we continue to create factions and compete with each other when, in fact, we are one in the eyes of the Lord? Sto. Niño showed us how to love and offer ourselves to the Heavens. He is the source of communion,” he said.

“Unity is important. We can’t expect a loving and peaceful

Why do we create factions... when we are one in the eyes of the Lord? – Msgr. Roberto Alesna, during the Sinulog opening mass

Archdiocese if, even in our families, there is no love. We must reflect on this: a loving and peaceful marriage is a loving and peaceful family. This would then mean a loving and peaceful barangay, parish and community,” he added.

‘That is faith’

Alesna challenged the people to translate into action their devotion and the values and virtues of the Child Jesus.

Without action, one’s pilgrimages and offerings will all end in vain, he said.

“Saint Augustine said, ‘We shall not seek anything other than the Lord.’ Let us not look for something we want to see. Instead, search for the Lord and He will answer. That is faith,” he said.

Also in attendance during the mass were city officials led by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Mary Ann delos Santos, Nendell Hanz Abella, Pastor Alcover Jr., Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Jocelyn Pesquera, David Tu- mulak and Joel Garganera.

After the mass, Abella, who is Sinulog executive committee head, declared the celebration officially open.

A parade followed from the Basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Alesna said he found it “touching” that despite the presence of a security threat, especially as the Fiesta Señor celebration on Jan. 15 draws near, people have not faltered in showing their faith.

While the police estimated only around 40,000 devotees who joined the Penitential Walk for Jesus last Thursday compared to last year’s 300,000 attendees, the activity yesterday gathered a larger crowd than in 2016.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said this year’s kick-off program had more attendees than anticipated.

“I can see that there are more attendees this year compared to last year. We actually had difficulty in moving out of the Basilica because there were more people than we’ve anticipated,” he told reporters in an inter- view during the parade.

The Cebu City Police Office, in coordination with the Cebu City Government, fielded some 200 personnel to guard the activity, which started in the Basilica and concluded with a unity dance in the CCSC.

“So far, so good. For any big event, the launching is very important as it sets the mood. I just hope it will continue to be like this. The people are cooperative and disciplined,” Ballesteros said.

Twelve candidates of the 2017 Sinulog Festival Queen led the parade, which was a first for the launching activity since Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced last July the cancellation of the Miss Cebu pageant, saying it was “only for the elite.”

Dance troupes from 14 secondary schools and colleges in Cebu followed the candidates.

As the country is set to host this year’s ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit after a decade, a cultural dance was also presented.

A unity dance performed by all the contingents capped off the launching program.