Lighter traffic expected during Kaplag celebration

CEBU, Philippines - With the change of time for the solemn processions for the 448th Kaplag celebration from April 24-28, CITOM is expecting lesser traffic during those days. Atty. Rafael Yap, CITOM officer in charge, said that unlike in the previous years, the change of time will be of help in having lighter traffic during the solemn event. “We already detail personnel to take charge of the traffic and we expect that the volume of traffic will be lesser with the time moved later in the afternoon,” said Yap. Fr. Jonas Mejares, the rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, disclosed that on Day 1 until Day 3, the solemn procession will start at 5:00 pm instead of 4:00 p.m. in the previous years. On April 24, there will be a Eucharistic celebration at the Magellan’s Cross and will be followed by the Solemn Procession from the Magellan’s Cross going to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and will have an overnight vigil there. On April 25, the Eucharistic Celebration will be at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and followed by a solemn procession from the Cathedral going to San Nicholas Parish and will stay there for an overnight vigil. On April 26, there will be a Mass at the San Nicholas Parish and will be followed by a Solemn procession going back to the Basilica del Sto. Niño. On April 27, the Eucharistic Mass Celebration will be at 5:30 at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica which will be followed by a mini-concert by the multi-awarded University of the Visayas Chorale as well as the reenactment of the Finding of the Image of Senior Sto. Niño. There will also be a Sinulog offering which will be performed by the Basilica Candle Vendors Association, Confradia del Sto. Niño and the San Diego dancers and the traditional religious Sinulog by all groups and devotees, to be capped with a fireworks display. Kaplag is the commemoration of the finding of the Image of Santo Niño on April 28, 1565, brought earlier in 1521 by Magellan and given to the Queen of Cebu.