Back to the essence

This year’s Fiesta Señor was described as generally peaceful. With no drinking or parties, except for a few unpermitted areas, after the Sinulog Grand Parade. And yes, compared to celebrations in previous years that were marked by street parties, marred by transgressions involving mostly our young. But what remains not changed is the devotion of the faithful. This is manifested by the number of devotees who joined the procession despite the threats of the rains. I was part of the crowd that was blocked from approaching the images of the Santo Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe. And seeing the unexplainable intensity of the people in my midst -and for sure these are devotees who with or without the fanfare aspect of the celebration, their faith drives them to stand for hours.

But I am not saying that the Sinulog aspect is superficial and could be nonexistent from the year’s festivity because such tradition is a manifestation of our faith in culture. It is a faith at work, working on how as a people we express our deep devotion and love for the miraculous Child Jesus.

Oftentimes our actions are questioned by the truthfulness of our motivation. The motivation is relative from person to person. And so because motivation is manifested in our actions so if we only witness the grandeur, the glitz, and color of the celebration -this needs reassessment of one’s motive. But if one seeks first and foremost the spiritual dimension then the right motivation is achieved.

It is truly a test of one’s motivation if we would tone down or omit the worldly aspect of it as we would no longer bother to endure the hours of waiting and exposing ourselves to the danger of stampede. Otherwise we would only be contented to watch the televised religious activities. The unexplainable feeling we derive from where the action is spells the difference. We can’t help but shed tears as we watch the passing of the images. There is something that fills the emptiness inside as we offer all our fears, doubts, pains, and hopes.

The brightly-colored costumes, the dancing to the rhythm of trumpets, drums, and native gongs; and living to the undying spirit of one beat, one dance, one vision. The best depictions of Cebu’s signature event turned it into an international tourist attraction -the Sinulog Festival. It is just a worldly manifestation of something more profound and higher that is the essence of it all.