Santo Nino at 500 Marks The Newest Chapter of the Cebuanos’ Pilgrimage of Catholic Faith
Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered last November 13, 2019, at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu to partake the official launching of the 500th-anniversary celebration of Christianity and the arrival of the Holy Image of the Child in Cebu.
By 2 PM, the church pews were already filled with devout Catholics armed with fans, bottled water, and red eco bags with tokens of the said activity. Around the church were the mandated road blockages that were usually established during Friday masses while the church grounds were filled with police who were busy roaming and implementing the order in the area.
At the entrance of the church was the registration booth where the general public has been lining up to acquire tickets and a meal stub as they cannot enter the main church hall without the said pass. Those who weren’t able to get inside due to limited capacity watched through the LED screens assembled outside that broadcast the real-time events of the celebration. Passers-by was able to get a glimpse of the momentous commemoration of the blessed Image.
The program commenced with the invocation and National Anthem led by the Coro Liturgico Agustino, followed by the welcome remarks of the Prior Provincial of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu Rev. Fr. Andres Rivera Jr, OSA. The overall chairman committee of the 500th celebration Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA shared a rationale that highlighted the significance and expectations of the celebration as well as the overview of the launching.
OPEN-TO-PUBLIC CONFERENCE
Historian Rev. Fr. Arnel Dizon, OSA delivered a presentation entitled “In Place of the Idols: A Journey of Faith with the Santo Niño, 1521-2021” where he resurfaced the engrossing journey of the past that started it all and elaborated the thrilling plans and activities for the future.
In the first part of his talk, he established the context settings as to why the believers should commemorate the 2021 Quincentennial Celebrations Philippines as it revolved around victory and humanity: the 500 years of victory of Mactan and the Philippines’ condemnation and the achievement of humanity in the first circumnavigation of the world. He also revealed that a line drawn from Matthew 10:8, “Gifted to Give” would be the main theme for Jubilee Year 2021.
For the next section, Dizon delivered a chronological presentation of the traces and pathways to Cebu which was spearheaded by the famous Magellan-Elcano expedition. He recalled the monumental arrival of the icon which seemed to be so influential that the image of Santo Niño remained with the natives even after the Spaniards have left. He pointed out the similar icons found in Mexico as well as the Infant Jesus of Michelin in Paris while landing to the conclusion that it was indeed a glorious reliquary, a priceless gift.
Dabbling further into history, Dizon recounted how the natives were into the Anitismo (belief of the deities and spirits of nature and ancestors which were then carved into the wood) before the explorers came. As for the Santo Niño, it became one the natives’ anitos and eventually the most powerful pagan idol as the icon has granted the much-sought rain, other necessary help and miraculous results in other pressing needs which led to the natives’ great veneration to the image.
Dizon concluded his presentation with the implications of the two-year celebration. He shared the 2021 QCP themes into Filipino consciousness: Sovereignty, Unity, Magnanimity, and Identity as well as the permanent state of the mission of the believers as bearers of the good news. He also laid out the new evangelization agenda with four dimensions: Missio Ad Gentes, a proclamation of the Good News to the poor, reaching out to those who have drifted away and formation of the young people and youth groups.
In response, the panel of reactors composed of religious personnel Rev. Fr. Emilio Edgardo Quilatan, OAR and Rev. Fr. Brian Brigoli as well as esteemed media practitioners Oscar Rodolfo Pineda and columnist Jobers Reynes Bersales gave their respective opinions towards the arguments presented by Rev. Fr. Dizon as well as additional insights in regards to the topics at hand. They emphasized how the faith in Santo Niño and obedience to Church teachings paved the way to binding the country into one nation.
The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Most Rev. Gabriele Caccia closed the conference with a speech. He raised the question as to when the Santo Niño was presented: before or after the Baptism to which he answered that Magellan did not show the image until the natives received baptism.
“So, Santo Niño is not the reason why they believed but because they believed, Santo Niño was given,” Archbishop Caccia
The awarding of certificates to the main conference speaker as well as the reactors signified the end of the first part of the program.
MASS
A concelebrated mass took place after the conference presided by H.E. Most Rev. Caccia, along with Most Rev. Jose Palma, Bishop Midyphil Billones, Augustinian priests to signify the opening of the Quincentennial of Christianity in the Philippines.
In his homily, Most Rev. Caccia expressed the need for the believers to “be childlike but not childish” and to have the same kindness of that of a child while possessing a mature faith of an adult. It is only when believers grow in faith that they would be able to bear fruits of the Spirit.
“When a Christian is an adult in faith when he is able to offer to give to others what he has received, we are prepared to celebrate the 500th year of Christianity,” He emphasized.
After the mass, Most Rev. Caccia blessed the two images of the Santo Niño. In an interview, Fr. Felmar Fiel., SVD revealed that the images are currently en route to visiting 500 pilgrimages in the Philippines and around the world with the Vatican as their top place to go to with the hopes to meet with the Santo Papa.
The unveiling of the highly anticipated Santo Niño at 500 logo were spearheaded by Most Rev. Caccia, Most Rev. Palma, Bishop Billones, Rev. Fr. Andres Rivera Jr., OSA, Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara, OSA, Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA, and Cebu City Mayor Hon. Edgar Labella.
A colourful, childlike logo that portrayed the distinct elements of the Catholic faith and Cebu was revealed behind the velvet curtain which was adored and received with affection by the religious and general public alike.
Archbishop Jose Palma and Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA ended the second part of the program with their speeches of gratitude and parting insights.
EVENING PROGRAM
The attendees with meal stubs were gathered to the church ground where dinner was served as part of the celebration. Likewise, the religious, the media and the staff enjoyed the dinner prepared in the halls of the convent.
As the stomachs were satiated with the scrumptious dinner, the devotees went back to the main sanctuary to witness the evening concert.
The San Diego dance company enraptured the audience with their portrayal of a cultural dance that depicted the lives of the Cebuano natives, the arrival of Magellan and the blessed icon, the baptism and conversion of the royal Cebuano couple and Queen Juana’s first Sinulog dance completed her heart-stopping dancing with the Santo Niño on top of the two bamboo poles carried by two native subjects on their shoulders.
All the way from Iloilo, the University of San Agustin Choir and Troubadours graced the general public’s ears with a harmonious medley of Cebuano folk songs which left the audience in the clouds, giving them no choice but to stand in ovation.
The Santo Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation, Inc. (SNAF) and the Basilica Children’s Welfare Foundation, Inc. presented an AVP which featured the programs created for the enhancing the holistic development and opportunities as well as serving as the stepping stone to the evangelization of families which include soup kitchen, values formation, sports camps and the like. The foundations also appealed to the hearts of the people who are willing to be volunteers for the operations as well as monetary donations to make the programs possible.
An award was then presented to the winner of logo making contest, a Cebu-based illustrator and a devout Christian Ramesh Rosillo.
He was given a plaque of recognition and cash prize which he and his family accepted graciously onstage.
In an interview, he revealed that his main inspiration for the logo was the Holy Child himself. He did not waste time formulating formal or celestial concepts but rather considered that the small God was a child and children can be easily pleased, leading him to create the logo in a kiddie and colorful way that would easily appeal to the Blessed Child.
“Ang composition kay para pang bata jud pero sayun man sabton sa every Christian ba. You need to put every concept sa logo na usa lang ka tan-aw, dili na need muexplain ang creator sa logo,” he added.
Another AVP was shown to explain the elements incorporated in the official logo of the celebration. The pentagon shape of the logo signifies the five colorful centuries of Christianity in the Philippines. The 500 number signifies the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the miraculous image of Santo Niño de Cebu. The hands holding the Santo Niño symbolically represent the abiding presence of the Father in the community. The Santo Niño image as held by the Father is given to humanity. The waves and the galleon portray how the image was brought to the island. The map of Cebu represents the island where the blessed image found his home. The first hand carrying a candle represents the dancing of the traditional Sinulog. The second hand represents the waving of hands of the devotees upon singing The Bato Balani sa Gugma.
The newest Santo Niño at 500 Years website (stonino500.com) was also unveiled where devotees can access and be informed of the Agustinian plans from 2019 to 2021. Several programs include the construction of historical markers, conservation of the Basilica structures, the revival of missionary presence and many others.
As if they knew the audience was asking for more, the USAC and the Troubadours returned to deliver their powerful rendition of classics such as The Prayer, When You Believe and Tagumpay Nating Lahat, leaving the audience numinous in their seats. It was then followed by the soulful performance of the Basilica Grand Chorale’s baritone, piano, and organ maestro.
Certificates of appreciation were handed by the Basilica Rector Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., OSA and Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA to the celebration’s magnificent performers: San Diego Dance Company, University of San Agustin Choir and Troubadours, Basilica Grand Chorale, Coro Liturgico Agustino and Coro del Santo Niño.
For their final encore, the USAC and Troubadours imprinted a soulful performance of Let It Be in the memory and hearts of the audience which concluded their performance magnificently for the night.
For his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara expressed that they may have reached the end of the program, it was only the beginning of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Beloved Santo Niño in Cebu. He recalled the people who were part of the spiritual journey and kept the faith of the Holy Child which continues to prevail in the present time. He raised the challenge to the believers to keep the fire ablaze and the mission alive. He expressed his gratitude to the staff, the public, the performers and to every person who helped made the celebration possible.
“Christianity in our beloved country will survive from generations to generation,” he assured.
For the grand finale befitting for a grand celebration, the aforementioned choirs united in delivering a final song that portrayed the significance and aspirations of the celebration which radiated the same joy and excitement to the public. The score ended with the classic confetti shower and the public’s heartwarming declaration of “Viva Pit Senyor!”
Truly more exciting activities and devotions are to be expected for the two-year quincentennial celebration. This commemoration of a new beginning is not only for the Cebuanos but to every Catholics devoted to the Blessed Child everywhere in the world. Indeed a Joyous 500th Anniversary Santo Niño!
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