CEBU, Philippines — There will be no ritual showdown in this year’s Kaplag 2023 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Barangay San Nicolas Proper, Cebu City.
But this year’s celebration is expected to be more meaningful and memorable.
Kaplag is the discovery of an image of the Child Jesus (Sto. Niño) here in Cebu in 1565 based on historical accounts.
This year’s celebration of the “Kaplag” carries the theme “Rediscovering the bounty: The blossoming of faith.”
The Kaplag 2023 will be both cultural and religious in nature.
The opening day will be the opening of the food park at Plaza Urdaneta.
A concert play entitled, Asin ug Kahayag, on the other hand, will take place tomorrow (April 24), a musical night on the 25th, and a cultural presentation on the 27th.
On the religious side, the Walk with Jesus at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow (April 24) will serve as the opening salvo followed by a Holy Mass to be officiated by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes, PCVG.
There will also be a triduum mass on the 25th, 26th and 27th.
The second day of the triduum will also be the arrival of the replica image of the Santo Niño de Cebu while the third day of the triduum will be the farewell mass and send-off of the image of Sto. Niño.
A solemn procession is also scheduled on the 27th along with a night of thanksgiving to Señor Santo Niño.
The week-long celebration ends with the Kaplag fiesta proper.
The ritual showdown staged in previous years had been scrapped, but there will be a grand parade instead followed by a pontifical mass with Bishop Ruben Labajo.
San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal told The Freeman that instead of the ritual showdown, kids with the best Sto. Niño costumes during the grand parade will be given a special award.
The contest for the best in Sto. Niño costumes will be open for kids three years old to 8 years old only. (FREEMAN)