Reliving Sto. Niño discovery in Kaplag

Rev. Fr. Harold Ll. Rentoria discloses the line up of activities for the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the discovery of the Sto. Nino. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The Catholic Church in Cebu will celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Sto. Niño—the oldest religious icon and the symbol of Catholicism in the country — on April 28 this year.

The day also marks two other milestones: the 450th anniversary of the Augustinian presence in the country, and the 50th anniversary of the church’s title as a minor basilica.

Equally important are the novena masses to be celebrated by top prelates,  as well as superiors of different religious congregations.
On April 28, the Kaplag Mass will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, executive director of the Kaplag celebration, said among the highlights of the celebration is the grand reenactment of the arrival of the image of the Sto. Niño, the planting of Magellan’s cross, the first baptism in the Philippines  and the discovery of the image of the child Jesus on April 27.

The reenactment, led by renowned choreographer Val Sandiego, will begin at the Malacañang sa Sugbo compound, and will proceed to the Cebu City Hall grounds.

It will end at the pilgrim center of the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, rector of the basilica, has formed a 300-member choir and orchestra for the big celebrations.

The Augustinian Fathers, to whom the centuries-old image of the child Jesus was entrusted, are on the final stretch of the preparations.

“The 450th Kaplag is the celebration of the Sto. Niño. The image is very important, not only for Cebu but for the whole Philippines and humanity. The image of the Sto. Niño should be revered not only as a religious icon but as a national treasure as well,” Fr. Rentoria said.

Providing financial support for the triple celebrations are the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, the Cebu provincial government, the Cebu City government and various devotees of the Sto. Niño.

Val Sandiego, the director of the grand reenactment, said they conducted extensive research so they will be able to adhere closely to  the historical accounts  of Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

“We are very careful in interpreting everything, including the costume details and the characters,” he said.

Sandiego coordinated with seasoned stage and TV director Floy Quintos who chose the main artists in the reenactment.

Over 300 individuals, mostly from different schools and universities in Cebu, will take part in the reenactment.

“Kaplag” recalls the discovery of the Sto. Niño icon by Spanish soldier Juan Camus on April 28, 1565. He found the icon in the remains of  a burned nipa hut after Spanish forces set the village on fire.

Camus was part of the Spanish expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi to reclaim the islands after Magellan’s first visit in 1521.

The original image of the Holy Child Jesus is housed in a glass-enclosed  marble aedicula  beside the main altar of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.