Sinulog Fluvial Parade: The Real Reason Devotees Participate

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The fluvial parade hosted thousands of devotees in 2025

The Sinulog fluvial parade is always packed with devotees and spectators, which adds to the surreal experience of celebrating the festival.

It’s indeed a spectacle to behold, with the hundreds of vessels traversing the ocean and the people holding up the Sto. Niño and chanting Pit Senyor! in unison.

That being said, what draws these people to participate?

CDN Digital reported that 8,000 people onboard 500 vessels joined the prestigious fluvial parade on the morning of January 18th. (2025) Hundreds of Cebuano families and establishments from all over Cebu were present at the time.

The fluvial procession pays homage to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, who introduced Catholicism to the Philippines in the early 1500s.

A massive galleon can be seen carrying the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu, followed by a fleet of smaller boats.

It’s an integral part of the Sinulog Festival, with devotees and spectators patiently waiting in different areas like the Cebu pier, the two Mandaue-Mactan bridges, and more recently, the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway.

While witnessing the event from afar is already worthwhile, being part of the fleet following the image is known to be a profound experience. Joining the fluvial parade is a goal of many Sto. Niño devotees every year.

For the Sinulog Festival 2025, members of the Cebu Insights team hopped on board one of the vessels and gathered three stories from the devotees, each sharing their reasons for dedicating their time to this momentous occasion.

Their interviews highlight the passion and dedication that Cebuanos have for the Fiesta Señor.

ATTRIBUTING TO THEIR SUCCESS

One of the 500 vessels joining the parade was the M/V CCCS Sunriser II. It is one of the main vessels of the Cordova Inter-Island Shipping Lines, a pioneer of Cebu’s maritime transport industry.

The Sunriser II is the first fast craft in Cebu made up of fiber composite, creating a strong but lightweight vessel. It carries passengers from the Cordova Roro Port to the port of Getafe in Bohol, and vice versa.

Travel time from Cordova to Bohol is 1 hour and 20 minutes according to their official website. It has a capacity of 100 for their economy section and 30 for the tourist class.

Aside from this, the company provides rolling cargo services en route to both locations. The vessel has space to carry 15 bicycles and 24 motorbikes.

It is managed and owned by Rolly Abing, a Cordova native and licensed lawyer. He has been joining the fluvial parade since 2018, wherein his company uses motorized bangkas.

He mentioned in an interview that joining the fluvial parade serves as a form of thanksgiving and praise, as his faith in the Sto. Niño played a big part on his way to becoming a lawyer.

“During my college days, my devotion to Sto. Niño was very strong. I offered my studies, and he didn’t fail me, because on my first day of the bar examinations, I made it. I owe that a lot to the graces of Sto. Niño.”

Atty. Abing also said that he “absolutely, 100%” attributes the success of his business to the Sto. Niño, especially with faith being his guide.

“I believe Senior Sto. Niño is always with me, especially when making decisions.”

He recalled during an interview that his company struggled because of government intervention and lack of finances. But with consistent effort, the company partnered with investors and made valuable loans from the bank to keep going.

Now, one of the goals that Atty. Abing is looking to accomplish is a total of 30 vessels by 2030.

Currently, Sunriser and the other vessels from the Cordova Inter-Island Shipping Lines only offer daily trips from Cordova to Getafe and vice versa.

To avail their services, you can book your tickets at the ticketing service at the Roro port or through their official website.

A MARVELOUS EXPERIENCE

Another one of the attendees of the fluvial parade was Jhon Michael Tariman, the CEO of Valiants Realty, a Cordova-based real estate agency.

Jhon mentioned that his company was made for the sole purpose of helping people.

He noticed that many Cordova natives were in need of financial aid, inspiring him (a seasoned sales agent) to educate the less fortunate to profit from selling property.

His company joined the fluvial parade to experience the blessings of the Senior Sto. Niño, asking for miracles and blessings to execute their goals.

“We believe in the magnificent power of the ‘batobalani sa gugma’ (magnet of love). We believe that we can manifest the power of God if we really believe.”

However, it was not easy for him and his agents, as some members unfortunately could not afford the boat fees.

Luckily, with the cooperation of other members of his company, Jhon was able to bring 13 of his agents aboard the Sunriser.

This shows the dedication and commitment Cebuanos have so they can experience this magnificent event.

GIVING THANKS

Another passenger on the Sunriser was Liloan native, Marissa, who returned after joining the fluvial parade for the first time in 2024. She says that the parade provides a “good feeling” for devotees who show their love and affection for the image. 

She later recalled how she first joined the parade because of a very specific request she asked from the Sto. Niño. Her emotional response shows the power of prayer and faith that many Cebuanos attribute to their patron saint. 

“Nice kaayo. (It’s so nice). Pag first man gud kay naa koy gipangayo ni Senior Sto. Niño, then iyang gihatag nako last year pag 2024. Thank you kaayo Senior Sto. Niño! (At first, I joined because I made a request to Senior Sto. Niño, and he gave it to me last year. Thank you so much Senior Sto. Niño!)” 

This year, Marissa joined in giving thanks for the blessings she received and for her prayers being answered. 

Marissa believes that everyone should experience the same amazing feeling she had, inviting devotees to save up in order to join in on the festivities next year. 

“Giinvite gyud nako sila nga muapil gyud sila aning fluvial kay nindot gyud kaayo sa feeling. Promise!” 

*****

There are many reasons why we join in on the different religious activities like the fluvial parade. There are thousands of other devotees, all with different prayers, but with the same faith and love for the Sto. Niño.

Their stories definitely exhibit the strength, resilience, and sense of belonging that Cebuanos have for each other, especially as they celebrate a big event like the Sinulog.

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