FAITH ABOVE ALL!

 One beat! One dance ! One Vision!

WOW CEBU!

     CEBU has been a place of wonders and diversity. A place filled with both natural and historic attractions, truly  a visitor's dream- an Eco cultural paradise. White beaches, water falls, green forests and the like which really amuses a man's eyes. Aside from the scenic views that makes Cebu City famous not only in the Philippines but also internationally is the grandest "SINULOG FESTIVAL".

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT?

Two steps forward. . . one step backward. 
       
        It is a ritual dance that gives honor and homage to Snr. Sto.Niño, the patron saint of Cebu. It occurs every 3rd sunday of January. It remembers the pagan past of Cebuanos and how they embrace Christianity. Many contengests from the Cebu City, Cebu Province and the neighboring provinces participates not just to win prices and honor but they consider their dance as their love offering and gratitude to the holy child. They dance with a festive sounds of drum,trumpet and native gongs bringing a holy image of the child with 2 steps forward and 1 step backward dance moves. During the Sinulog grand parade, the streets  are lined with vendors and pedestrians all wanting to witness the  street dancing. Cebuanos also showcase talent, beauty and brain in the search of Miss Cebu and the Festival Queen.

 IN THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY 

       The paganism belief  of the Cebuanos had come to an end when a wooden image of the holy child arrived. It was said that it was a bequest of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan under the flagship of Spain to the wife of Rajah Humabon. The image of Sto. Niño became the emblem of friendship, acceptance and conversion to Christianity of the natives. Cebuanos   embraced wholeheartedly the Christianity and Roman catholic  became a major religion in Cebu. They considered the holy child as the protector and who gave never ending miracles.

DOGGED DEVOTION

       A colorful and overgenerous yearly festivity was conceptualized by the Cebuanos  called the SINULOG FESTIVAL  became a climactic symbol of their undying devotion to the holy child. The streets were flooded with people. No single block of the Minore Basilica del Sto. Niño can be stepped on. People from different places around the world came to join the feast of the baby Jesus. Ignoring the kind of weather( now, heavy rain pours..scotching sun later.), they were so determined to show their love and faith to their protector.They were queuing patiently with voluminous people and ignored the heat of the sun in order to kiss the holy image. People aimed to ask protection  from Snr. Sto. Niño in their endeavors of life. They were so determined and they believed that only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the only protector and savior.

       I've heard a testimony from my neighbor,a mother who believed that what had happened to her and her 3 months old son was a miracle from  Snr. Sto. Niño .
       She said it was the feast celebration of the holy infant . She was heading to Cebu City in  a motorcycle. Her plan was to visit Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño to kiss the holy image and if not to lit a candle to ask protection for her family especially to her child. Suddenly,  a dog crossed to their way that the driver was not able to control the brake. The motorcycle fell down and had a great impact to the concrete road. Because of her fear to what might had happened to her child , she religiously prayed to Sto. Niño to protect them. To her surprise , nothing bad had happened to them even a little scratch on their skin. She was so thankful and she believed that it was really the holy child who saved them from harm. 
      This tells us how Snr. Sto. Niño resides in the heart of His people.

      Above all, it is not only the beautiful scenes of Cebu, the beautiful  and talented Cebuanos and the grandest festival that really highlight the feast but the undying, dogged devotion and never ending faith and love to our creator,protector and savior Jesus Christ.

     VIVA PIT SENYOR!!! 






 photo taken from http://www.flickr.com/

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