Roble’s turn an ‘answered prayer’

CEBU, Philippines — Just like the sea, the three-decade shipping business of Leyte’s Roble clan was often battered by storms that, at one point, even sent it to the brink of sinking.

But thanks to the family’s unwavering faith and devotion to the Santo Niño, the business remains afloat all these years.

Thirty-four years after Roble Shipping Inc. was founded, the family has been given the privilege of providing the ship that will carry the image of the Santo Niño during the fluvial procession on January 19.

Jose Emery “Joy” Roble, president of the Roble Shipping Inc., said that being the eldest in the family, he can attest to how the family struggled financially in the past.

But that is now water under the bridge, so to speak.

The former mayor of Hilongos, Leyte said Roble is now one of the leading shipping lines in Cebu, something he attributes to the Santo Niño.

Jose Emery described the family’s devotion to the Child Jesus as “inborn” because since childhood, the Robles have been venerating the Santo Niño.

He said his siblings knew of the long-time practice from their great grandparents. Both sides of his parents were religious and prayerful, which is why devotion has been engraved in their minds and hearts starting from when they were raised as children until they eventually got married.

Jose Emery’s father, Jose Roble Jr., was a porter-turned-executive who founded the Roble Shipping Inc. in 1985. After investing in a few units, the business grew through the hard work and determination, complemented by strong faith.

About three years after the inception of the firm, Jose Emery said, the family joined the fluvial procession, and they have never missed one since then.

But managing a shipping line is never easy.

“Dili sa tanang panahon nga maayo ang among negosyo. Susama sad sa dagat nga anaay maayong panahon ug adunay dautang panahon mao nang aduna sad mi nahiaguman nga mga pagsulay (It’s not good all the time when you’re in business. Just like the sea that can be rough, we also went through a lot of trials),” Jose Emery told The FREEMAN in an interview.

He particularly cited the financial problem that the shipping firm experienced from 1994 to 1997 when an economic crisis hit the country and one of their ships got involved in a sea mishap.

The shipping line was on the verge of bankruptcy, but family members strived and firmly fought to save the business.

Confronted with difficulties, Jose Emery said the family took refuge in the Santo Niño and despite the adversities, they continued to give praise and offer sacrifices to the Holy Child.

No obstacle has hindered the Robles from participating in the fluvial procession. There was even a time when they had to use a pumpboat just to continue with the tradition.

Through the years, the family has always accompanied the pilgrim image in its voyage to its sanctuary at the basilica in Cebu City, but the Robles also desired to carry the image in their own ship.

“Amoa gyud nang pag-ampo. Nangandoy gyud mi sa una pa nga mamahimong official carrier sa imahen sa paghatod niini pabalik sa syudad… Sa una magsunod ra ta Niya (Santo Niño galleon), pero karon kami na ang magdala (That’s our prayer. We wished to be the official carrier of the image. But now, it’s coming to reality),” said Jose Emery.

Last year, the administration of the Augustinians in Cebu, who are spearheading the religious activities, decided to open to interested participants the chance of carrying the image for the fluvial procession.

In October, the religious community revealed that it had picked, through a raffle draw, the Roble family to be the official carrier of the image for this year’s fluvial.

Jose Emery said the Santo Niño indeed answers the prayers of those who fervently implore Him and it even came to the family as a surprise because they never thought they would be selected knowing that there are several shipping players in Cebu.

To carry the image, the Roble’s chose its 112 gross tonnage fast-craft named Super Joy because it is easy to maneuver and has a large passenger capacity of 230 individuals.

During the fluvial, though, the passengers of the vessel will be limited to 120 only for safety purposes.

The FREEMAN happened to drop by the family conference on Monday in which they discussed the concept and motif of the supposed “modern” galleon for the pilgrim image.

Jose Emery said that initially, the family will keep the design as simple as possible but one that will also surely give the Santo Niño a carrier worth of its stature. — KBQ (FREEMAN)