In a powerful display of faith and resilience, the City of Lapu-Lapu is moving forward with its 290th Patronal Fiesta honoring Nuestra Señora de Regla, even as the community recovers from recent natural disasters that have impacted the region.
Mayor's Assurance and Community Support
Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan announced in a media interview on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, that the fiesta activities will proceed as scheduled. She emphasized that the celebration, organized before the recent calamities, will serve as an act of thanksgiving and a beacon of hope for the city's patrons.
"We will continue our fiesta activities despite our calamities. I know our brothers and sisters in Cebu are suffering, but we hope to give them encouragement," Mayor Chan stated. She further clarified that while the socio-cultural events have been scaled down, the city remains committed to helping neighboring areas affected by the September earthquake and the two November typhoons.
Dual Focus: Celebration and Relief
The city government is maintaining a dual focus, balancing the cultural celebration with ongoing disaster response. Mayor Chan confirmed she is in constant communication with other local leaders and that Lapu-Lapu is prepared to deploy water supplies and Disaster Risk and Reduction Management personnel for search and retrieval operations in affected neighboring cities.
Simultaneously, the mayor highlighted the economic importance of proceeding with the fiesta. The event will allow local small businesses, choreographers, dancers, and artists to sustain and develop their respective industries during this challenging period.
Scheduled Religious Activities
The fiesta celebrations will commence with a Holy Mass on November 12 at the San Roque Parish in Cordova. This will be followed by a series of traditional events including:
- A motorcade
- A seaborne procession
- The first novenary mass at the Virgen de la Regla National Shrine
These activities underscore the community's deep-rooted devotion and their determination to find strength in tradition during difficult times.
