A dry run of the fluvial procession of the image of the Señor Santo Niño was held morning on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy, and members of the clergy at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu led the dry run. 

The passenger vessel to serve as “galleon” that will carry the image of the Santo Niño is bigger compared to the previous galleons used in the fluvial procession.

The dry run used time-and-motion strategy to put all systems in place. By timing each element and observing physical movements, such as the time it would take on board the passenger vessel the images of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, accomplishment of tasks on the dot is assured. 

The galleon is set to depart from the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) port at 6 a.m. along with a fleet of procession participants. 

Vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard served as sea marshals during the dry run. 

The “galleon” went past the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and reached Kawit Point before taking a maneuver back to Pier 1 in Cebu City. 

The PCG said they were able to accomplish the task at the expected time while cruising at five knots. 

Captain Jerome Lozada, commander of Coast Guard Central Cebu, said they would iron out the procedure, taking into consideration the number of participants who will go aboard the vessel. 

As of this writing, around 180 participants sought registration for the fluvial procession.

Meanwhile, Fr. Jules Van Almerez, media liaison for the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño,  reiterated that the Traslacion, or the visit of the images of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Holy Child in Mandaue City is set on Thursday, January 15 instead of the usual Friday. 

The change in schedule allows devotees ample time to venerate the image of the Holy Child, Almerez said.