THE 453rd Fiesta Señor will formally kick off at dawn tomorrow with a penitential walk for Jesus.
Starting at 4 a.m. Thursday, devotees will march the two-kilometer route from the Fuente Osmeña circle to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
The dawn procession and the mass at 6 a.m. will mark the first day of the celebration of the Fiesta Señor and the nine-day novenas.
The opening mass after the procession will be led by Fr. Pacifico “Jun” Nohara, the rector of the Basilica and overall chairman of this year’s fiesta celebration.
In an interview, Nohara said they are now 100 percent ready for the nine-day novena masses.
He advised the faithful to follow the security and safety precautions being placed by the organizers to avoid any trouble inside the Basilica.
Prohibited items such as balloons will be strictly checked by security guards, Nohara said.
“Plastado na gyud tanan,” (Everything is in place) Nohara added.
For devotees who will be attending the opening salvo tomorrow, fiesta organizers said the main entrance of the Basilica at Osmeña Boulevard will only be used as a common exit.
Entrance gates towards the Basilica are located at D. Jakosalem and Burgos Streets; and near the Magellan’s Cross. (Justin K. Vestil/VoxPop Cebu)