The Cebuano Faith: Refocused (Sinulog 2014)

"Nothing can shake the faith of the Cebuanos" - Donitoh.

Every year, the Filipinos celebrate different feasts where ever they are. And they are not just feast or any gathering, Filipinos celebrate their faith through the Patron Saints that they give petitions to. As far as I can remember growing up from a religious family, fiestas will always be celebrated whatever the calamity, tragedy or circumstance be. It can be celebrated from the most humble gathering to the grandest of all feasts. 

In Cebu, January marks the start these celebrations. The Sinulog festival is not just about the fashion, glamour, parties, drinking and merry making - it is a proof that  the Cebuano faith is as strong as the cross on the Basilica's roof and belfry. 

One of the many images of the child Jesus in every Mass at the Basilica in Cebu.
(Photo taken from Google.com)

Since a little boy, the Sinulog has always been a tradition for us to reunite and celebrate the novenas, masses and the fluvial parade together. I was always at awe with how faithful the people are to the child Jesus. The prayers were so strong that I can feel them even if I was not even sure what was actually happening. All I would hear were people praying, crying and shouting of how glorious the Sto. Nino is.  

The memory I have about the fluvial parade was making up early and hurrying up to the Port of Cebu. As we were living in the town next to Cebu City, we (together with my relatives from Bohol who were devotees of the child Jesus) would travel to the Plaza Cebu, walk to the Pier and see great amounts of faithfuls waiting for the child Jesus to pass aboard a boat through the Mactan channel. Then, a shower of flowers from a helicopter hovering above. I don't have pictures of these events but I am sure that the child Jesus has touched me with His miracles through the events I was exposed to. 

The Faithful during a celebration at the Pilgrim Center of Basilica del Sto. Nino de Cebu.
(Photo from Google.com)

Now at 25, I have come to realize the strong powers and the generosity the Sto. Nino has. I am proud to say that I am a living witness to how miraculous the child Jesus is; not just to me, but to everyone that pleads to Him. The image of Him being a child makes it easy to ask for anything. All we have to do is hold on to our faith and believe that He will give it to us. 

The world is not blind of what has happen to Cebu. From earthquakes, typhoons, financial crisis to major transport accidents; the Cebuanos remained strong and has continued to survive through the guidance and presence of the child Jesus. This is a living proof of how strong the faith of the Cebuanos is. That in whatever situation, the Sto. Nino will always be there with us. 

When the belfry collapsed, I literally cried. Seeing such a beautiful monument of Christianity and Cebuano faith tumble down into pieces just like that. It made me think about the times when I would look at it as the bells would sound at every mass celebrated. All the sun rise and sunsets, all the tears and undying devotion of the faithful, and all those smiles as each prayer that were answered were witnessed by the belfry of our beloved Basilica. 

But Sto. Nino loved us all that He spared anyone from being hurt. Amidst the damage the basilica has, no major injury was recorded from the incident. This is a miracle that Cebuanos are very thankful of. 

From the damage that we suffered after Haiyan, Cebuanos stood up and looked at the new life given to them by the child Jesus with immense hope and faith. We are now slowly recovering from what was left of us. We are now living as one. 

Given these situations, nothing can shake the faith of the Cebuanos. 

The masses during the Novena at the Basilica. You can see what is left of the collapsed belfry.
(Photo from Google.com)

When you search photos of how Cebuanos celebrate the Sinulog, you can see the color and joy it emits. But aside from the festivities and street merry-making, one can feel the strong faith that the people has. I have no idea on how words would exactly describe it but inside of me is a strong feeling of faith as I am making this blog. 

Beyond words, 

Beyond pictures. 

VIVA! STO. NINO! VIVA SENYOR!

-Donitoh