The Pious Journey

CEBU, Philippines —  The festive atmosphere in Cebu City is coming to full blast, as both the Fiesta Senor and the Sinulog celebrations have formally begun. Visitors have also started to come. For a week or so, the city becomes a convergence point of people from different places.

It’s two different journeys that end up in one destination. Some come for the revelry; others in the name of piety. Of the two, the latter obviously has the more meaningful story.

Devotees from far and near who come to the Fiesta Senor are serious about it. Many of them start preparing many months before the occasion. Many of them dare overwhelming odds just to be able to express their devotion to the Santo Nino.

They are often seen patiently squeezing in through thick crowds at the Basilica and during the religious procession. They never complain about the great discomfort and inconvenience. They know it’s going to be a sacrifice – and that is just what they come to do.

There is, for many years now, a so-called Devotee City setup for people who come to the Fiesta Senor and have no place to stay. It’s no five-star affair, but at least it provides some protection from the elements and crooks. It is a good gesture of hospitality on the part of the city.

But true-blue devotees – although they are grateful for the concern – do not demand or need such facility. The more difficulty they go through, the more meaningful their coming over. Sacrifice is their greatest offering to the Santo Nino, and it is not possible if things are convenient and easy.

Many devotees come from far-flung areas. In most cases, their piety has arisen from favors received or for favors sought. Their supplications and thanksgiving mostly center on cure of an illness, a problem resolved, passing an examination, and similar worldly favors. Yes, quite too utilitarian for a matter that’s supposed to be essentially spiritual… but that’s the way it is.

For all its merits and flaws, coming to the Fiesta Senor is a pious journey. It is taken by those who believe that there’s a God or some supernatural force that decides on the kind of life they have. And that is essentially piety.

A minuscule example of a pious journey is the religious procession on the day before the fiesta. One would need to be tough, in both body and spirit, to be able to last the several kilometers’ walk in dense, almost body-to-body crowd. It means parched lips, dry throat, short breaths, and foot blisters – and, at times, even dropping unconscious.

But even accidents on the way to and from the city or the Basilica or during the procession do not seem to affect people’s determination to go through the same ordeal again year after year. True, some people are motivated by fear of some divine retribution if they break their “panata” or pledge to do it. But such fear somehow signifies a strong belief in the reality of a supernatural power.

There is no doubt whatsoever that coming to the city purposely for the Fiesta Senor is a pious journey. Especially so if, in the process, one has to face certain odds. But piety is one thing – true faith is quite another.