An estimated 1.1 million to 1.2 million devotees walked with the image of the Santo Niño during the solemn foot procession on the eve of the Fiesta Señor in Cebu on January 20, 2024.

This is lower than the estimated 2 million who attended the procession in 2023 but the police said this is most likely because the route in 2024 traversed residential areas.

Because of this, a number of devotees opted to just wait for the image of the Santo Niño to pass by their houses rather than joining the procession itself.

“Residential ang giagian karon so ang uban, miguwa nalang sa ilang mga balay… unlike last year, wala syay agianan nga mga balay,” says Col. Janet Rafter, Deputy Director and spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office.

Strict security was implemented to secure the event with law enforcement personnel deployed along the route of the procession.

The foot procession started at 1 p.m. From the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, it moved to J. Alcantara Street and headed up to V. Rama Street before turning to Fuente Osmeña circle and down the stretch of Osmeña Boulevard back to the Basilica.

The image of the Santo Niño reached the Basilica at past 4 p.m. but the crowds of devotees continued to walk to the Basilica even after an hour later.

The pontifical Mass at the Basilica was presided by Most Rev. Midyphil Billones, the Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.