CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma offered yesterday's Solemn Pontifical Mass for the 449th Feast of Señor Sto. Niño as thanksgiving for the good weather and the Filipino people's resiliency in the face of calamities.
Palma said there are many reasons to thank God, and one of it is having a calm weather condition yesterday despite the forecast of bad weather since Friday. Yesterday's weather condition was considered by Palma as a blessing from the Holy Child.
"We can only thank God, for we know, this is the God who loves us through the Señor Sto. Niño," Palma said.
He also offered it to give praise and thanks for the protection and the courage of the Filipinos to stand up after the major calamities that hit the Visayas regions.
"Ang atong panagtigom karong adlawa una sa tanan isip (Us being gathered here today is first a) gathering of praise and thanksgiving ug kini pagtigom sa pag-ampo (and also a prayer of) BangonCebu, BangonBohol, BangonLeyte, BangonSamar, BangonPilipinas," said Palma.
The archbishop centered his homily in this year's Sinulog theme: "Sñr. Sto. Niño: Hope of the people."
"All the time we need God, all the time we need one another," he added.
Palma recalled the calamities that struck the Visayas regions and how the people remain faithful and hopeful.
He however reminded the flock to stay grounded and never be boastful for everything that they have comes from God.
After the Mass, Palma also declared the formal launching of the preparations for the Sinulog 2015 which will coincide with the 450th Feast of Señor Sto. Niño.
"As Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu, I hereby declare the preparations for the 450thAnniversary of the finding of the image of the Sto. Niño, the 450 years of the presence of Augustinians in the Philippines and the 50th year of the Sto. Niño church as the Basilica Minore, open."
Palma also awarded yesterday the winners of the logo design competition for the 450th Anniversary of "Kaplag."
The FREEMAN editorial cartoonist and lay-out artist Ramesh Rosillo bagged the P30,000 first prize, beating 153 entries from all over the country. The second prize was won by Penelope Buzon from Talisay City, and the third prize went to Marie Caraballo and Mel Villaruel of Makati City.
The second and third prize winners received P20,000; and P10,000, respectively. (FREEMAN)