CEBU, Philippines - Not even churning stomachs and cold nights can prevent some 300 residents of Bogo from coming to the city just to be able to spend time at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño for supplications and express their devotion to the Child Jesus.
With barely enough pocket money to feed themselves, Lorenzo Ruiz, 58, and his neighbors in Barangay Bungtod and other residents of his town in Bogo come to the city on board a dump truck.
Ruiz said he and his wife, Fe, 64, have this practice of coming here every Sinulog to pray to Sto. Niño for good health and longer life.
Due to lack of money, he said that oftentimes, they have to bear hunger while attending the Novena Mass.
“Dili namo igsapayan ang among pagsimba sa Senyor para lang sa kagutom,” he told The FREEMAN.
Lorenzo said they have made it a pledge to attend the Sinulog yearly whatever the season may be.
“Tulumanon namo nga kada pista Senior dili namo makalimtan ang among mga pagpaningkamot,” he added.
The couple, together with their siblings and other residents of their barangay who are candle vendors slept on the sidewalk at corner Legaspi and Burgos Streets, just a few meters away from the Basilica.
Although blind, 80-year-old Maria Lumungsod, a resident of Barangay Nylon, also swore to devote her life to Sr. Santo Niño as long as she lives.
Lumungsod, who sells candles to churchgoers, said she feels that Sto. Niño really loves her because despite her age, she is still health and still earns money despite her disability.
“Dili na intawn ko maka-klaro pero gikaluy-an lang gihapon ko sa Ginoo kay maka-kwarta pa ko’g ginagmay,” she said.
During yesterday’s Sinulog Grand Parade, thousands gather in the streets despite the heavy rains.
People started to gather in the city’s major thoroughfares as early as 7 a.m. just to make sure they position themselves in areas they could clearly see the performing contingents.
Participating contingents and other contestants joining the carousel route did not mind the downpour.
Rene Roy, the dance master of the contingent from Carcar said “rain or shine, we will dance for the Sto. Niño.”
“Padayon gihapon ang sayaw kay tungod ug alang kang Senyor Sto. Niño,” Roy said.
The presence of the thick crowd on both sides of the parade route served as inspiration, according Zandro Guillo, one of the dancers of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. National High School.
He said his make up got smeared three times that he had to have a retouch three times. He also got wet more than once from the rain that came and went yesterday.
“We didn’t mind the rains because we’re here to celebrate the Sinulog and to offer our dance to Sto. Niño,” Guillo said
Despite the downpour, local and foreign tourists enjoy themselves by taking pictures of the contingents.
Security and crowd control were also never an issue as thousands of volunteers from different schools and personnel of the police and military are scattered along the parade route.
Paramedics from the Red Cross and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation were also on alert for any emergencies. – (FREEMAN)