CEBU, Philippines - Three years back, I found myself holding unto this thick blue rope in cooperation with the school's yearly crowd control service. The drizzle may have been a blessing in disguise because I'd rather choose to get wet than be scorched by the sun's heat.
Downtown Cebu was densely populated with people from different walks of life for the annual Sinulog celebration. People queuing to kiss Señor Santo Niño, lighted candles representing prayers, the whole community waving its hands to the Holy Image while the "Gozos Batobalani sa Gugma" was being played – these moments were magically transforming. No needle could seem to fit into the Basilica, so full for the past days signifying the Cebuanos' strong devotion.
Indeed, the Holy Child has been a magnet of love but is it the same magnetic reaction that makes people push others just to get ahead and be upfront nearer to the Child's image? I hope not. Cebuanos have a lot to thank the Holy Child for but it doesn't justify the pushing and the harassing of the crowd controllers. Just as strong as our devotion to Señor Santo Niño is a disheartening attitude – undisciplined behavior.
I could still remember that humid day of January 16, 2010, 2:30 in the afternoon, when people pleaded just to get themselves through me but I had to be stern with my responsibility of not letting someone pass. I don't get it why people want so bad to join the procession but don’t wake up early to be on the site before crowd controllers would take their posts. What's more disheartening was when this tall guy told me to let him through because he was with the government. Along with him were his bodyguards and the families of the guards who wasted no time to get through.
However, that was three years ago. Let us usher positive changes with the events lined up for this year's Sinulog celebration. May the Holy Child magnify his magnetic love so that no lawless elements would loom in the area and take advantage of the congestion. May we, devotees, catch ourselves doing right this time by respecting the cordon in place.