Quincentenary celebrations to push through April 14

CEBU CITY—The quincentenary celebrations of the arrival of Christianity will push through on April 14 but only a limited number of people will be allowed to join.
 
Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, secretary-general for the 500 Years of Christianity (500 YOC) of the Archdiocese of Cebu, announced on Tuesday, March 23, that the Cebu City Government and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) allowed the event to proceed subject to stringent health protocols.
 
Balili said only 700 people will be allowed to witness the reenactment of the First Baptism in line with the quincentenary celebrations. Sugbo.
 
Aside from limiting the number of participants, road closure within the 300-meter radius in Plaza Sugbo will also be implemented, said Balili.
 
The IATF and the city government have only allowed 50 percent capacity of Plaza Sugbo.
 
 “Hence, only 700 people are allowed to be at the venue. This will comprise 300 people who will attend the Mass which will include the concelebrating priests, and 400 people composed of ministers of the Mass, policemen, ushers, technical group, media, and first response and aiders,” Balili said.
 
Balili added that the city will only allow authorized vehicles to enter and pass near Plaza Sugbo by implementing a no-car-pass-no-entry policy.
 
The reenactment will be held at 2 p.m. beside Magellan's Cross in Plaza Sugbo.
 
After the reenactment, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown will also preside over the Pontifical Mass, which will be followed by cultural celebrations at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.
 
Balili made the announcement during Tuesday’s Chrism Mass and Renewal of Priestly Vows at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, which was led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
 
In his Homily, Palma was elated that amid the current health crisis, the Archdiocese will be celebrating the quincentennial anniversary of Christianity’s arrival in the Philippines.
 
 “If there’s an epicenter of COVID, there is also an epicenter of the celebration for the 500 YOC and that is Cebu. We are Cebu. We are the epicenter and the heart of the celebration and the remembrance that, 500 years ago, the first baptism was held here in Cebu,” said Palma.