Yolanda A.K.A. Haiyan may have stripped parts of the country bare, leaving nothing but faint reminders of what once was strong, indestructible even, especially in the Visayas region where it unleashed its fury. And it would have been natural to grieve the loss of lives, property and practically everything else. But such is not the case for the resilient Filipinos.
A predominantly Catholic nation, the Philippines proved that no amount of tragedy can stir them from believing that God, as always, will provide a brighter tomorrow. Attesting to this is the admirable display of faith during the celebration of three of the grandest annual festivals in January — Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan, Cebu’s Sinulog and Iloilo’s Dinagyang festivals.
In spite of the tragedy that left most of the Visayas battered, many devotees did not turn their backs on what has been the source of their strength from the very beginning — their devotion to the Child Jesus (Sto. Niño). Present to witness this were several Kapuso artists from GMA’s first-quarter drama offerings Carmela Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw, Rhodora X, The Borrowed Wife and Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw who were themselves amazed and inspired with what they saw and participated in.
Read on as they share first-hand experiences in celebrating the three grandest festivals in reverence to the Sto. Niño.
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Ati-Atihan
Dingdong Dantes: My greatest experience with the Aklanons is to personally witness their faith dahil doon lumalabas ‘yung pagiging free-spirited at pagiging masayahing tao nila. Sa kabila ng mga nangyari, we have to celebrate life. And the Ati-Atihan Festival is one of the ways to showcase the uniqueness of the province. That’s why I am grateful that I got to take part in it.
Yasmien Kurdi: The Ati-Atihan is enjoyable because super daming tao ang nakita namin. The screams were deafening during the Kapuso Night and super warm welcome talaga ang na-feel namin sa Pastrana Park.
Mark Herras: Masaya ang Ati-Atihan because it’s the so-called “Mother of All Philippine Festivals.†We were warmly welcomed by the crowd. You could really feel the spirit of the festivity while passing through the main thoroughfares. Masaya rin ‘yung sadsad nila, makikita mong nagsasayawan ang mga tao sa kalye. It also served as a reunion of our StarStruck batch since I was there, as well as Jennylyn (Mercado), Yasmien and Kuya Dingdong who was the host of StarStruck before.
Sinulog
Marian Rivera: I returned to Cebu to keep my promise last year to visit the Cebuanos again. Kung noon ay natuwa ako sa ipinakita nilang pagtanggap sa akin, mas lalo ngayong pagbalik ko, umaapaw ‘yung suporta na ipinadama nila. Nung pumarada kami, doon ko talaga naramdaman ‘yung “Sinulog fever.†You’d really hear the people shouting “Viva Pit Senyor!†and they didn’t care about the heat or the long walk because what was more important for them was to be able to show their faith in the Señor Sto. Niño. If you think about it, these people have been through a lot but on that day, what mattered most was their devotion, which I hoped is noticed by the entire country because for sure, they will be impressed and be inspired.
Alden Richards: It was an unforgettable experience for me. I got to witness how strong the faith of Cebuanos is. They have gone through a lot the past year, but when it came to the Sinulog, the most important for them is their devotion to the Sto. Niño.
Mark: The Sinulog Festival is very colorful! It was fun passing through the main streets of Cebu while we were on the Kapuso float. We saw the colorful costumes and the street-dancing during the parade. What made the Sinulog experience more fun was the presence of Yasmien and Jennylyn. Na-miss namin ang mag-show nang sama-sama.
Mark Anthony Fernandez: It was a devotional and recreational experience. I wish I could do it yearly. I love the faith and the ceremonial way of praising.
Camille Prats: It’s such a festive event. For the past few years, some of my friends would always invite me to come during the Sinulog Festival kasi ‘yung iba from Manila dumadayo talaga sila sa Cebu just for the Sinulog. So it was great that we got to be there to celebrate with the Cebuanos.
Kim Rodriguez: Sobrang saya ng Sinulog experience ko. Napakabait at hospitable ng mga Cebuano. I hope to be back because I enjoyed entertaining the people there. I am definitely looking forward to going back to Cebu. It’s one of the regional events that I won’t forget.
Kristoffer Martin: I admire Cebuanos. I really felt their warmth and hospitality. I hope to return next year and join again their huge celebration for the Child Jesus.
Dinagyang
Jennylyn: Hindi biro ‘yung naging experience ng mga kababayan natin sa Visayas because of Typhoon Yolanda. But when we went to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival, there wasn’t a trace of sadness in the people’s faces. They have such faith in the Señor Sto. Niño. It’s so admirable. And all their activities for the festival were well-attended, even our mall show with Kuya Dong was jampacked. It was great.
Rafael Rosell: It’s always fun everytime especially during the Dinagyang that’s why I’m thankful that I always get to come here.
Yasmien: Ang ganda ng Dinagyang kasi ‘yung costumes nila super bongga at ang babait talaga ng mga Ilonggo!
Dingdong: ‘Yung pakikiisa ko sa Dinagyang is very important to me because it’s a feast to honor Sto. Niño. And of course, hindi lang naman ito puro saya, may inaalay ka rin na part of yourself and ako, ‘yung pagpunta ko rito para na rin makita ‘yung mga Kapuso natin dito sa Iloilo. In a way, that’s my devotion.