Sagrada Familia images arrive safely in Lapu-Lapu despite rain

The blessed images of the Sagrada Familia safely arrived in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday morning, January 16, despite intermittent rains brought by Tropical Storm Ada, marking another major event of the 461st Fiesta Señor celebrations.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan formally welcomed the holy images from Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, where the images of the Holy Family had stayed overnight following the Traslacion.

City officials, members of the city council, and Rev. Fr. Benido Tumol, parish priest of the Nuestra Señora de la Regla Parish National Shrine, joined the reception rites.

Devotees from Lapu-Lapu, known as Oponganons, lined the procession route to greet the images of the Señor Santo Niño, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Joseph the Worker.

The Traslacion proceeded to the Nuestra Señora de la Regla Parish National Shrine, where a welcome Mass was celebrated at 8 a.m.

Despite the rainy weather, the procession remained peaceful and solemn. Cultural dancers performed the Sinulog in honor of the Santo Niño upon the arrival of the images, while many devotees carried their own religious icons.

Children dressed in the traditional red and yellow Sinulog colors also joined the gathering.

The Lapu-Lapu City Marching Band rendered the “Bato Balani sa Gugma” gozos during the reception ceremonies.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ardioleto Cabagnot, chief operations officer of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said the Traslacion concluded without any untoward incidents.

“Our overall assessment of the Traslacion is that it was orderly and peaceful. We did not record any incidents,” Cabagnot said.

He noted that rainfall caused minor flooding in some areas, briefly resulting in crowd congestion, but this did not lead to major concerns.

Authorities estimated that more than 7,300 devotees lined the streets, while around 1,800 gathered inside the Nuestra Señora de la Regla Parish National Shrine.

Security operations were led by the Lapu-Lapu City Police, with assistance from the Bureau of Fire Protection, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other force multipliers. Perimeter security, medical stations, and an incident command post were put in place, especially as the holy images were scheduled to stay overnight in the city.

Cabagnot said about 450 personnel were deployed for Friday’s Traslacion, with additional forces expected for Saturday’s fluvial procession. Personnel from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and other agencies also assisted in ensuring road safety and crowd control.

The Traslacion remains one of the major religious highlights of the annual Fiesta Señor, continuing to draw thousands of devotees across Cebu despite challenging weather conditions. (LLP)

Photo from Cebu Archdiocese