(Part 12)
Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada originally wrote this in Cebuano, it was translated into English by Martin Abellana. It was published in 1965. It was Consuelo Enriquez Uy, a descendant of the Dela Calzada, who donated copies of the book to the Cebu City Library.
Numerous entries on the legends of the Sto. Niño de Cebu are contained in the book. CEBUpedia is running a series of selected stories in the book, with the hope that the Cebu City government, in coordination with the family of Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada, will reproduce the book so it can be distributed to the public schools in Cebu City.
“‘He put the cup near my lips and he said, ‘Drink this for it is my blood.’ The chaplain in amazement asked, ‘Was it true?’
“‘Vuestra Reverencia-it is up to you to believe it or not. But this I tell you: It was true.’
“‘Did you drink the blood?’ the general interrupted, ‘Did you not become drunk?’
“‘Mi general, after I drank the blood, my body seemed to expand, my heart seemed to ring, my throat cleared, my vision became very clear and my tongue tingled and seemed to dance. I felt myself like a new being. Where my brain was poor and barren, I actually sensed that a river of knowledge flowed into it. I was assured by the Child Jesus that I can now read and write. You can try me if I can really do so.’
“The bugle sounded. It was time now for changing of guards. The gathering dispersed. As it did so, everyone noticed a boy dressed in red elbowing his way through the crowd. Sergeant Pedro Perez which was the desk officer, while sitting at his desk, saw this boy and the boy even smiled at him, went out the fort and before he could find out what happened, the boy disappeared at Plaza Independencia (formerly Plaza Libertad).
“The chaplain commented, ‘What happened to Victoriano was a miracle. Es que - but you don’t believe it.’
“A few months passed after the happening. But the soldiers and the friends of Victoriano wanted to dig deeper into the mystery. So they badgered Victoriano to tell them some more details to quench their curiosity. Finally, Victoriano obliged them.” (To be continued)