Sinulog parade is not Mardi Gras
My balikbayan friend from New York often says every time we meet: "What's up, man?" I would always answer: 'The prices, man."
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It is being said that the Phl is the world's No. 2 most dangerous place for journalists. Hearing this, a mother whose son is taking up journalism in college says she wants him to shift to culinary science.
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"OK lang," says the father of the young man, "you can still join the school's news organ by being the editor-in-chef."
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Some media persons continue to call the Sinulog grand parade a Mardi Gras. That's virtually a sacrilege. If you know what a Mardi Gras is.
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Mardi Gras is a no-holds-barred merry-making where all inhibitions are thrown to the wind. Bikini garbed women show off their breasts, men drink whisky from the bottle, men and women embrace and kiss each other, etc. That is Mardi Gras, and that is what some people want to honor the Sto. Niño with.
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In my time -- Sir Dodong Gullas’ time too -- devotees from the towns and other provinces would come to Cebu City for the Pista Senyor. "Mamista Senyor ta," they would say. Today they come to the city for the Sinulog, not anymore emphasizing the Pista Senyor without which there would've no Sinulog.
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By the way, some media people continue to call Basilica del Sto. Niño still "Minore." The Basilica is now a full-fledged Basilica not anymore a Minore. This I was told by a knowledgeable source in the Church.
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The Sto. Niño Church is the first Catholic church in Asia to become a Basilica. It was proclaimed by a Papal representative during the celebration of the 4th Centennial of the Christianization of the Phl. Today there are many Basilica's in the country. All of them Minore.
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OVERHEARD: The clamor for the banning of the firecracker was the topic of a sidewalk debate among some people. Someone said: "Kun mahinayon ang ban, daghang taga Lapu-Lapu ang makulban sa kon (kolon)." Reply: "Daghan man gud ang mangamatay anang pabuto." Reply: "Dili baya ang pabuto maoy makapatay kun dili ang saag nga bala gikan sa pusil sa mga hambugerong tawo."
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