O.S.A Director Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares of the Committee on Religious Activities (2nd from left), talk to the press about the KAPLAG 2015 International Conference. With him is Val Sandiego (1st from left), Rev. Fr. Harold Rentoria O.S.A Executive Director (3rd from left),Rev. Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez (4th from left) O.S.A Director, Committee on International Conference and Commemorative Book and Jun Tagalog. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
There won’t be one but two fluvial and grand solemn foot processions in honor of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
Aside from the annual fiesta celebration in January, the Cebu Archdiocese will mark three milestones: the 450th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Sto. Niño and of the Augustinian’s presence in the country and the 50th anniversary of the church’s title as a minor basilica.
The Augustinian Fathers, to whom the centuries-old image of the child Jesus was entrusted, are preparing for the grand reenactment of the Kaplag or the discovery of the Sto. Niño to be staged on April 28, 2015.
Renowed Cebuano choreographer Val Sandiego said there will be 1,000 students from different universities and colleges who will take part in the reenactment.
Sandiego said a fluvial procession will precede the reenactment of the Kaplag that will be made in different historical areas in downtown Cebu City.
Year of grace
“It will be something grand next year,” he said in a press conference at the Aula Magna inside the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño yesterday afternoon.
Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, executive director of the 2015 celebrations, said he’s trying to bring back Galeon Andalucia, a six-deck galleon based in Spain, which visited Cebu in 2010.
“Without the discovery of the Sto. Niño, there would be no Sinulog. Hence, 2015 which marks the 450th anniversary of the Kaplag, is a year of grace for us,” he said.
The Augustianian Fathers sent an invitation to Pope Francis for him to attend the grand celebration in April 2015.
“If he can’t come in April 2015, Pope Francis may send a papal legate,” he said.
Aside from the grand reenactment, Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, said there will also be a ‘Duaw Nasud’ wherein the image of the child Jesus will be brought to different places around the country.
For next year’s Kaplag anniversary, commemorative stamps and exhibits in Cebu and Manila will be made.
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