Sinulog sa Kinatarcan

CEBU, Philippines - Being geographically separated from mainland Cebu did not stop the residents of Kinatarcan Island in northern Cebu from celebrating the Fiesta Señor.

The last day of January saw the pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu traveling from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño to Kinatarcan Island, one of the three biggest islands that belong to the municipality of Sta. Fe in Bantayan.

Upon arriving at Kinatarcan, small motorized fishing boats welcomed the boat carrying the image of the Sto. Niño. There were also Sinulog dancers waiting at the port. The warm welcome was indeed fit for royalty.

Kinatarcan, also known as Guintacan and Batbatan, is composed of three barangays: Kinatarcan, Langub, and Hagdan. The island is considered a mission island of the Augustinian community. Being a mission island, Catholics were a minority there when the Augustinians adopted the community in 2008. A chapel was established through the help of private benefactors on top of a hill in Sitio Dapdap, Barangay Kinatarcan.

Despite being battered by super  typhoon Yolanda in November 8, 2013, the strongest tropical cyclone in history, Kinatarcan survived  without a single casualty. This was made possible due to the preemptive evacuation done before the super typhoon hit the small island. All of the houses there, including their chapel were, however, destroyed.

  Fiesta Señor in Kinatarcan

A Holy Mass was celebrated at the chapel of the island after the arrival of the image of the Holy Child. Because Yolanda destroyed the chapel’s roof, a tarpaulin served as its temporary shade.

In his homily, Augustinian Fr. Tito Soquiño vowed that the religious community will do all it takes to rebuild the homes in the island.

“Hangtud wala pa moy puy-an, di namo ni ayuhon ang kapilya. Magpabilin ming magkuyog ninyo,” Soquiño addressed the growing number of Catholics in the island.

Before the Mass ended, locals were made to experience the religious Sinulog dance led by both Soquiño and fellow Augustinian and de facto parish priest Fr. Alladin Luzon.

Despite threats of inclement weather, a fluvial procession was done the following morning.

Big waves and strong winds cut short the fluvial procession, which was supposed to go around the island. Nevertheless, fishing boats joined and other residents lined up along the shore and waved as the image passed.

A foot procession from Sitio Dapdap to the chapel on the hill immediately followed and Luzon then celebrated Mass.

Sinulog sa Kinatarcan is one of the activities leading to the Kaplag celebration.

This year’s celebration is by far the grandest as it will be the 450th  anniversary of the finding of the Holy Image in Cebu, 450th anniversary of Augustinian presence in the Philippines, and the 50th  anniversary that the Sto. Niño Church in Cebu was declared a basilica minore.   (FREEMAN)