The Cofradia del Sto. Niño

With the feast of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu just around the corner, the Cofradia of the Basilica del Sto. Niño are prepped with mastering their Sinulog dance routine which is slated to be presented at the Pilgrim Center during the feast date early next year.

The group has been perennially dancing to the beat since 1983 and has already achieved a string of wins during their endeavors with Sinulog competitions in the local scene during the time of Father Galindez.

What makes this group interesting is that the majority of its performers are aged 50 and above. And though the dance choreography may be a little demanding for them, these wonderful personalities braved the odds and pulled their routine very well. This has been proven during their last few performances which included the dance offering at the Basilica last January and their performance during the “Kaplag” (founding), in commemoration of how Sto. Niño was discovered under chapel ruins on April 28, 1565. “Kaplag” should have been the feast date of the Holy Child had it not been changed to every third Sunday of January during the time of Mayor Solon.

The Cofradia, Spanish for confraternity, was founded in 1565 where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi headed the institution in Mexico. Its mission is to propagate the devotion of the Holy Child.

Today, the Cofradia National Chapter is headed by Madame Rosalinda A. Murillo with Vivica D. Tabar acting as chairperson for the 2009 Cofradia Sinulog presentation.