To mark the 456th founding anniversary of Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines, the provincial government has organized a grand procession on August 31, 2025, showcasing the patron saints of the island province’s 44 municipalities, six component cities, and three highly urbanized cities.
Referred to as “Pasundayag sa Pagtoo” (Display of Faith), this cultural extravaganza seeks to highlight not only Cebu’s profound spiritual heritage but also its rich traditions, historical narratives, artistic expressions, and enduring cultural legacy.
Cebu is often hailed as the cradle of Christianity in Asia, with Cebuanos renowned for their fervent expressions of faith manifested through vibrant religious festivals, solemn processions, novenas, and a deep reverence for saints as models of virtue and intercessors in heaven.
This devotion to the saints within the Catholic Church is visible across the 60 parish churches of the Archdiocese of Cebu, each dedicated to a particular saint.
According to Provincial Tourism Officer Rowena Lu Montecillo, while Pasundayag sa Pagtoo is fundamentally a cultural affair, it is aligned with the Catholic Church's proclamation of the Great Jubilee Year 2025.
Participating municipalities and cities will present images of their patron saints on carrozas (carriages) adorned with vibrant flowers and other elaborate decorations that reflect the artistry and craftsmanship inherited from the Spanish era. Local officials may coordinate with their parish priests for religious images, carrozas, and other needed materials, while the provincial government has pledged subsidies for each participating municipality and city.
The images will be accompanied by traditional music, chants, and prayers distinctive to each community, offering a vivid display of Cebu’s intangible cultural heritage.
Beyond its devotional significance, Pasundayag sa Pagtoo will serve as a platform for each town and city to showcase their ecclesiastical arts, local traditions, and heritage practices, thereby nurturing Cebuano identity and strengthening collaboration among local government units.
The procession will begin at the Cebu Provincial Capitol and conclude at Plaza Independencia, where a closing program will be followed by a Eucharistic celebration.
The Cebu provincial government is also set to coordinate with the Archdiocese of Cebu for support and collaboration. Ms. Montecillo confirmed that a formal invitation has been extended to Archbishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator Jose Palma to preside over the Mass on the day.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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