The dry run for the 460^th Fiesta Señor fluvial procession at the Mactan Channel in Cebu went well, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The dry run was participated by personnel and sea assets of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy, the Maritime Police, and the “galleon” set to ferry the image of the Señor Santo Niño. 

The dry run started at past 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the port of Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) in Lapu-Lapu City where the fluvial procession is set to start on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at about 6 a.m. 

The dry run took a cruise at the Mactan Channel and a little past the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and back to Pier 1 in Cebu City. 

Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander, Captain Jerome Lozada, disclosed that they were able to hit their target for the voyage to take less than two hours, cruising at from seven to eight knots with the length of the procession at eight nautical miles or at least 14 kilometers.

Further, Capt. Lozada underscored that a color-coding scheme for registered sea vessels will be enforced to ensure orderliness. 

Lozada reiterated that participating sea vessels must arrive early to be in shipshape, literally.

Meanwhile, GMA Regional TV News Balitang Bisdak chanced upon a group of women attending to the processing of their permit for the fluvial procession. 

The women are from the Island of Gilutongan, off mainland Cordova town. 

The women led by Fidela Arong and Melbie Arong said they are regular participants to the fluvial procession as they made a vow to join annually as a way of thanksgiving for Divine protection and blessing, and as an offering on behalf of members of their family who have certain illnesses.