A page of history was dramatized yesterday in Cebu City where a cast of 300 reenacted the 1565 finding of the Sto. Niño de Cebu image.
Plaza Independencia was transformed into a pre-Hispanic village with nipa huts and stilt houses surrounded by bare-chested male natives and their female partners.
The arrival of Augustinian priests and Spanish soldiers in Cebu was set against the backdrop of the Magellan’s Cross kiosk and City Hall, whose facade was made the “Palace” of Cebu’s King Humabon.
The courtyard of the Basilica del Sto. Niño was packed with spectators who watched the reenactment of the actual finding of the image.
National event
“This is not just a local event in Cebu, a family event of the Augustinians. This is a national event for Filipinos,” said Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in his homily at the 6:30 p.m. novena Mass at the open air Pilgrim Center.
“Whenever we think of the faith of Filipinos, we always remember the Sto. Niño,” he said.
He was joined by 100 priests from different religious congregations and the diocese.
In his homily, Tagle said the finding of the image of the Sto. Niño 44 years after the arrival of the Spaniards was important not just for Cebu but for the rest of the country.
The cardinal drew laughter from people when he cracked jokes about the unpopularity of finding God.
“Many people are excited to go to the malls, to theaters. But when one will say ‘I’m going to the (God) Father, the usual response is ‘ay sige goodbye,’” he said.
Tagle said the Kaplag celebration is a reminder for people to look for Jesus and to be found by God.
He also challenged the people to deepen their faith as well as to find the real meaning of Kaplag.
Three acts
After the Mass, Tagle received an image of the child Jesus from Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the basilica, as the cardinal danced the traditional Sinulog.
Cebuano choreographer Val Sandiego, Palanca Award winning playwright Floy Quintos, and Trina Cayabyab– daughter of renowned composer Ryan Cayabyab worked together to present a play that is faithful to history.
The reenactment was done in three acts. Scene 1 was held at Plaza Independencia near the pier area.
Men dressed as Spanish soldiers emerged from a replica of a galleon. In the 16th century, the sea voyage was commissioned by King Charles of Spain to find the land of spices.
With them was the image of the Sto. Niño led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan which was portrayed by Cebuano actor Gil Maningo.
They later met the natives to depict their arrival to Cebu in 1521.
Scene 2 was held about 100 meters away, at the kiosk in front of Cebu City Hall near the basilica.
There, the Spanish soldiers planted a cross, and baptized the natives, and gave the image of the child Jesus to Queen Juana of Cebu.
The final destination was basilica’s pilgrim center where they reenacted the scene in which Spanish mariner Juan Camus found the same image of Señor Sto. Niño in a partially scorched hut on April 28, 1565.
Child dancers from Titang Diola’s sinu’g dance troupe in Mabolo and the Sandiego Dance Troupe offered sinulog dances as two men held the image of the Sto. Niño.
The entrance doors leading to the basilica later opened as a bright light illumined from within.
Procession
An image of the Sto. Niño inside a glass case emerged from the main doors.
It was carried by four men while altar servers escort it to the altar of the pilgrim center.
The Pontifical Mass with Cardinal Tagle then began.
The 450-member Choir Ensemble of Cebuano musicians led by Manny Lapingcao and Joshua Montayre rendered liturgical hymns.
Today, April 28, the image of the Sto. Nino will be brought in a solemn foot procession at 3 p.m. before the Pontifical Mass to be presided by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
At 7 p.m. today, there will be a Sinulog parade from Fuente Osmena to the Basilica del Sto. Niño.
The original image of the Sto. Niño is presently enshrined at the marble chapel located beside the main altar of the Basilica del Sto. Niño.
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