Sto Nino procession Cebu opens the Sinulog festivities

The nine day novena mass opened yesterday with the Sto Nino procession in Cebu from the Fuente Osmena to the Basilica del Sto Nino and this signals the start of the Cebu’s biggest festival, the Sinulog. The festivity culminates on the third Sunday of January with a boisterous and colorful street dancing but on the solemn side, devotees from the around the country and the world come to Cebu to pay homage as well as pray for blessings and healing to the Child, God and King, the Sto. Nino.

The procession was solemn, with several devotees massing at the Fuente Osmena for the 0430H procession to the Basilica with several bringing their own icons both big and small. Although it rained briefly, many regard it as a blessing as devotees stood on the streets as the Basilica grounds was already full of people. But many didn’t mind the brief shower as they were prepared with their umbrellas while others came with their portable seats, staying under the shelter of buildings.