Sinulog Festival

EVEN before the Sinulog celebration officially ended last Friday, Cebu City officials already declared this year's event a success during last Wednesday's City Council session, crediting it to divine intervention.

Cebu City Councilor Arsenio Pacaña said as much in a privilege speech, saying the threat of heavy rains did not hamper the fluvial procession at the Mactan channel.

He said it was if the Señor Sto. Niño calmed the waters to allow the faithful to proceed with the activity.

Pacaña, who chairs the tourism committee, said even the peace and order situation of the city during the Sinulog Grand Festival Parade was normal.

"It is truly mind-boggling how a mammoth crowd of 2.1 million people converging in our city of Cebu can be controlled with no major incidents happening," he said.

Pacaña said even suspected troublemakers who joined in the parade were cooperative and showed more than the usual decorum.

“This is to me, is divine intervention,” the councilor said.

"All throughout the years, people experience spiritual renewal, healing and the granting of their filial devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño, hence the increasing number of devotees at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino paying homage to the Holy Child," Pacaña said.

He said the Holy Infant’s protection will also extend to Cebu for the rest of the year as it faces calamities and the global recession. Correspondent Jully Venus Cuizon