The annual seaborne procession for the 461st Fiesta Señor unfolded successfully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with a record number of vessels participating in the historic event. The maritime parade, a highlight of the Sinulog festivities, saw the holy images of the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe transported on a galleon across the Mactan Channel.
Record Turnout for a Peaceful Maritime Event
Over 400 vessels joined the 2026 fluvial procession, marking a significant increase from the previous year. According to Capt. Jerome Lozada, commander of Coast Guard Station Central Cebu, the event saw approximately 260 to 270 small boats and 150 to 160 larger vessels. This surpassed the roughly 300 watercraft recorded in 2025.
Authorities reported a smooth and incident-free operation. Capt. Lozada confirmed a “zero-accident” record for the entire seaborne activity. He noted that the galleon carrying the sacred image of the Sto. Niño arrived precisely on schedule, adhering to the timeline set by the church. While minor logistical issues emerged due to the positioning of the participating boats, the Coast Guard promptly addressed them.
A Historical Reenactment and Religious Homecoming
The fluvial parade is a core tradition of the Fiesta Señor, reenacting a pivotal moment in Philippine history. It symbolizes the 1521 arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and the introduction of Christianity to the islands. The event specifically commemorates the moment Magellan presented the image of the Child Jesus to Queen Juana, wife of Rajah Humabon, as a baptismal gift.
In modern celebrations, the procession has evolved to include the Sagrada Familia or Holy Family. The official galleon now carries the images of the Sto. Niño, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Joseph, emphasizing family unity. The journey serves as a religious homecoming, returning the venerated images from Mactan Island back to their home in Cebu City.
Route Change Leaves Some Devotees Disappointed
Despite the successful maritime operation, the event was not without some discontent. Over a thousand devotees and spectators who gathered near the first Mactan–Mandaue Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City were disappointed to learn the procession no longer passes through that area.
Crowds had assembled at the Bridge Park as early as 4 a.m., hoping for a glimpse of the galleon. Janeth Augusto, a visitor from Canada who arrived at 5 a.m., expressed her frustration, stating it was her first time attending in 15 years. Local resident Joy Agbay from Barangay Basak lamented the lack of clear public advisories regarding the route change.
In response, Capt. Lozada acknowledged the need for better information dissemination for future events. He clarified that the galleon has not passed under the first bridge since 2024, as the area has become too crowded and unsafe for larger vessels. The current route requires the procession to make a U-turn near Muelle Osmeña in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City, before heading toward Mandani Bay in Mandaue City and the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway.
The Coast Guard extended an apology to the affected devotees. “I sincerely apologize on behalf of PCG 7 that the galleon was not able to pass there, but I must inform everyone that it has been years since it last passed under the first bridge,” Lozada stated. He assured the public that future procession routes would be communicated more clearly to prevent similar confusion.
