CEBU CITY — Hundreds of vessels filled the waters of Cebu on Saturday as devotees participated in the annual fluvial procession honoring Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu, one of the major religious events of this year’s Sinulog Festival.
The Philippine Coast Guard said an estimated 370 vessels, including small fishing boats and larger sea craft, joined the procession ahead of the Sinulog Festival celebrations on January 18, 2026. The fluvial procession commemorates the historic arrival of the image of Señor Sto. Niño in Cebu in 1521, an event widely regarded as a cornerstone in the spread of Christianity in the Philippines.
The image of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu was carried aboard a galleon that docked at Pier 1, where thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers and welcome the Holy Child. Participants lined the shoreline and ports, many holding religious icons and banners, as hymns and prayers echoed throughout the area.
Over the years, various vessels have been designated as the official galleon for the procession, including naval and passenger ships. These vessels have come to symbolize the maritime roots of the devotion, recalling how faith in Señor Sto. Niño first arrived by sea and has endured for more than five centuries.
As more boats joined the fluvial parade, Cebu’s waters were filled with colorful decorations and religious imagery. Church and local officials said the strong turnout reflects the continued devotion of the faithful, particularly during Visperas Day, a significant moment in the annual Sinulog celebration.
The fluvial procession is among the highlights leading up to the grand Sinulog Festival, which draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year and blends religious devotion with Cebu’s rich cultural heritage.
