“Hubo” officially ends Fiesta Señor

CEBU, Philippines —  With the throng of individuals attending the nine-day novenas down to the eve and fiesta of Senor Sto. Niño itself, it is definitely back to the normal days, said Basilical Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu Spokesperson Fr. John Ion Miranda.

Albeit face mask is still encouraged in mass gatherings, it did not hamper the Cebuanos to visit and pay homage to the Holy Child.

From the Walk with Jesus to the opening salvo and the rest of the nine-day novena masses, hundreds of thousands of devotees came to the Basilica.

Despite being heavily affected at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Super Typhoon Odette in the past two years, the Cebuanos' faith to the Sto.Niño remained.

“In return, Sto. Niño had blessed the 158th fiesta celebration with good weather from day one down to the culminating event, the “hubo” yesterday,” Miranda said

The “hubo” ritual was led by Fr. Nelson Zerda, OSA, Rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, with the priests of the Archdiocese of Cebu in attendance, along with thousands of other devotees.

During Zerda’s homily, he asked everyone to stay humble and generous to those who need it the most as symbolized by the hubo ritual of Sto.Niño.

After the holy mass, a short traditional ritual dance was presented headed by the San Diego Dance troupe.

“Ang atong pagsaulog sa iyang kapistahan nagmalampuson kaayo. Maayo nga panahon. Gihatagan ta niya sa iyang gasa. We expected a wet weather but iya kitang gihatagan og maayong panahon ug hangtud karon sa culmination sa Fiesta Senyor,” Miranda told reporters yesterday.

The Basilica estimated more than 300,000 individuals visited and attended the mass inside the Basilica premises itself; more than half a million during the fiesta, and millions reportedly joined the foot procession on the eve of the fiesta.

“Dili nato i-compare kung mas nitaas o unsa, pero nahibalik na gyud kita sa normal nga pagsaulog sa Fiesta Senor. Nabalik na kita sa pagdayeg ug pag Fiesta Senor sa balaang bata,” said Miranda.

He is also so thankful for everyone from the Cebu City Government and its police force, the medical team, security and volunteers, for keeping everything smooth and safe amidst the huge crowd.

Seeing the physical conduct of religious activities can already be done, Miranda is encouraging everyone to attend physical masses now.

“Mas maayo gayod kung physically present kita nga mosimba ug modawat sa lawas ni Kristo. Diha sa atong pagsaulog sa santos nga misa, nga mao ang font and summit sa atong pag-ampo isip Kristianos,” Miranda said.

The virtual mass will still remain though for the sick and those that are far away.

Although the Fiesta Senor celebration is already over, this also marked the beginning of a new mission as the image of Sto.Niño de Cebu will be visiting different areas in the country starting today. – Rowena Capistrano, GAN (FREEMAN)