Cebuano faith manifested: 1.5M follow Niño

CEBU, Philippines — Emelia Arias will become centenarian in nine years. But not even her age could stop her from showing a gesture of devotion to the Senior Santo Niño.

A devotee since her youth, Arias fondly recalled the many times she successfully hurdled the long route of the solemn procession when she still had the endurance.

This time, though, the 91-year-old native of Alcoy town, south Cebu, who had travelled more than three hours by bus from the province to observe a personal decades-old tradition, had to content herself with watching the river of devotees pass by her during the solemn procession yesterday.

Her prayers weren’t only for herself to have longer life and good health, but also her 10 children and her grandchildren.

“Magpaabot ko diri sa kilid sa pag-agi sa Sto. Niño aron akong mapadangat Niya akong mga pag-ampo (I will wait for the image of Sto. Niño to pass by here so I can tell Him my prayers),” Arias uttered in a voice almost undecipherable.

For the Tañezas of Barangay Kinsang-an Pardo, Cebu City, joining the procession was a family goal of sorts, with spouses Marcelino and Rose Ann tagging along their two children ages 4 and 3.

“As early as now, we are teaching them that God is the center of our lives. That’s why we have decided to bring them and do this every year. Hopefully, they [children] will learn to be God-fearing, humble, and to pray always not just in adversity but also in happiness,” said Rose Ann.

The Tañezas believe that their devotion would usher in good fortune and strengthen their family bond.

After leaving for the procession at 1 p.m., the Sto. Niño’s carroza arrived back at the basilica at 5:23 p.m., earlier than the expected 6 p.m.

The image was then carried down from the carroza and handed to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., the basilica rector.

‘Serve god’

In his homily during the Pontifical Mass, Palo, Leyte Archbishop John Du challenged the youth, and even those young at heart, to become devout missionaries happily serving God.

Reflecting on 2019 being on the Year of the Youth, he said youngsters are called for a mission, adding that even those 40 years and older can keep themselves young if they, too, are willing to respond to the call.

By taking part in a religious mission, people are bestowed with God-given gifts that should be nurtured and shared, said Du. He said parents and guardians also play a vital role in allowing their children to discover their talents and gifts and hone them.

And these godly endeavors can be achieved, he said, only through Christ.

“You will be successful if you keep Jesus in your hearts as your companion... but have you grown in faith? Has it been nourished and strengthened?” Du said.

Just like the Santo Niño, he said, one has to embody the innocence of a child who seeks for his father, giving to him total reliance and dependence.

“Above all, we need God in our lives... By being his child, we must be obedient by following His will and teachings. In that way, our faith will be fostered and strengthened,” Du said.

BEHEMOTH CROWD

Cebu City Police Office director, Senior Supt. Royina Garma, said the entire procession was “peaceful and orderly,” with crowds reaching 1.5 million as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

The whole stretch of the procession spanned 5.8 kilometers, starting from the basilica on Osmeña Boulevard, to M.J. Cuenco Avenue, to General Maxilom Avenue, and then back to Osmeña Boulevard.

Apart from the usual challenges such as devotees cutting into the parade lines, no major incidents were reported.

“It was peaceful and orderly, though many slipped into the procession to cross to the other part of the street. But it was still manageable at this level,” said Garma.

Cellphone signal was shut off in most parts of Cebu City and neighboring areas from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the fluvial procession, and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the foot procession, which Garma assessed as “effective.”

“For me, it was effective because we were able to prevent any possible untoward incident,” she said.

With the success of the activities yesterday, police are bracing for the Sinulog Grand Parade today, which is the main fiesta highlight.

Fluvial

Earlier in the day, thousands of Mandauehanons paid homage to the Sto. Niño and the Our Lady of Guadalupe in a send-off Mass before the fluvial procession.

A motorcade followed from the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City to the foot of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, leading to the Nuestra Señora Virgen dela Regla Church in Lapu-Lapu City.

Hundreds of policemen and other law-enforcement workers secured the church perimeters and the motorcade route.

Several parishioners brought with them images of the Holy Child clad in different wardrobes. Along the route, some devotees displayed their Sto. Niño collection, with a sound system playing the Sinulog beat.

Some devotees also continued the tradition of giving free rice porridge to those joining the motorcade.

After dropping by the church in Lapu-Lapu, the two images were then mounted on the galleon prepared for them for the traditional fluvial procession.

Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Michael Encina, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas, described the sea parade as generally peaceful, even with one man falling off one of the vessels.

“So far so good, walang record ng incident, except lang doon sa nahulog na lalaki. Pero safe naman siya kasi naka-life jacket siya and agad din siya na natulungan at nabigyan ng first-aid. So generally peaceful,” Encina said.

Encina also said there were instances that the crowd waiting for the arrival of the galleon carrying the image of Señor Sto. Niño and the Our Lady of Guadalupe argued with authorities for wanting to cross over to the cordoned part of the compound at Pier 1.

“Maiintindihan naman din namin ang eagerness and devotion nga mga devotees, so naunawaan lang namin na talagang it’s a part of their devotion (But we understood that it was part of their devotion),” he said.

Initially, some 82 vessels registered for the fluvial procession as of Thursday, and 11 more registered later. During the actual procession, however, about 220 vessels were seen joining based on the estimates of the coast guard. This means that the 133 vessels were “colorums.”

The two images finally arrived at exactly 9 a.m. at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Rain Likely

Meanwhile, a low pressure area (LPA) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility yesterday, threatening to bring rains today in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, including Cebu.

State weather specialist Romeo Aguirre said that Cebu may experience light to moderate and occasional heavy rains today, which can possibly cause flooding.

Aguirre added that there is a medium possibility for the LPA to develop in to a tropical depression, which could force the weather bureau to place several parts of Visayas and Mindanao under a tropical storm warning signal.

If the LPA develops to a tropical depression, it will named “Amang.” — Mylen P. Manto, May B. Miasco, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, John Kendrick P. Ceciban /JMD (FREEMAN)