Author: captaindarcel
I'm a corsair.
Sies para uno (short movie clip)
Santo Niñong Palaboy, Gala, o Lagalag
Santo Niñong Gala/ Palaboy/Lagalag, are all titles uniquely Filipino. In English, “gala and lagalag” loosely mean wanderer. Whereas “palaboy” means stray. These titles are usually associated with images of the Christ Child in humble clothings (sando or tank top and shorts), a woven hat, and holding a cross staff. There are many stories passed along through generations about Our Lady and the Child Jesus changing appearances to test people’s faith and charity. It is also a stark contrast from the lavishly clothed images we normally see in churches and various festivals. Maybe this is what endeared many to venerate this image, because He looks just like “one of us”.
Admittedly, I was one of those who really didn’t like this title of “palaboy and gala” (I will explain later). I remember a flickr member once posted,
“Hindi naging palaboy si Hesus.” (Jesus was never a stray.)
When Jesus got “lost” as a child, He went straight to the temple. There will also be this implication that Our Lady and St. Joseph were careless in minding our Lord Jesus when He was a child.
The reason why I had my reservations with these titles was because I’ve seen the evolution of the imagery of the “Niñong Palaboy” when I was a kid in the 80’s. I believe that this particular “look” of the Child Jesus all started with the Viva Sto. Niño exhibits and their highly coveted souvenir programmes. So many statue manufacturers came up with variations of the statues featured in those exhibits (knock-offs, if you will). Like the Sto. Niño de Amor of Mr. Nolie Hans – a beautiful antique ivory image of the Christ Child dressed in an elegantly embroidered tunic, holding a silver basket of grapes. In a few week’s time, there were Sto. Niños holding baskets of assorted fruits. Then it turned to pouches with coins, then came the floppy brimmed hats… and the title… Sto. Niño de la Suerte (dressed in green of course..haha!). I suppose, the fabric pouches and hats were a lot less costly to manufacture, than the metal regalia for the mass-produced market. Another factor in this “evolution” was the incorrect identification of the image of the young Saint John the Baptist, wearing shearlings and holding a cross staff; mistaken for the Child Jesus. Somehow, these two images morphed together and have become the image we now know and love so well – the Santo Niñong Palaboy, Gala or Lagalag. I found it fascinating how in a matter of months, these statues were in many homes and businesses. It didn’t stop there. The basket of fruits that became a flimsy shoulder-slung pouch for coins has become a pot of gold coins (I find this quite inappropriate actually, and to be honest, irritates me a bit.), and so on, and so on. Although finally, there’s an image to match the stories. The story of the travelling Christ Child who interacts with the faithful and the unfaithful.
Now, do I still think the titles of “Palaboy, Lagalag, or Gala” unbefitting the King of Kings? MY answer is NO.
If I believed in the stories of the Christ Child appearing to saints and regular people that are now part of the history of major shrines. Saints like Teresa of Avila, who have held the beautiful humble Christ Child; the prisoners and pilgrims helped by the Child Jesus of Atocha; the hungry fed by the Bambino di Aracoeli; the vendors teased by the Sto. Niño of Pandacan… then why not the people of today? These stories echo the ones we’ve heard about the Palaboy. Undoubtedly, there will be more to come. Of course there is no official Church sanctioned devotion to the Sto. Niñong/Gala/Lagalag (not that I know of anyway). Don’t most Catholic devotions start from popular beliefs? It is after all, the same Jesus Christ that we are adouring.
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES (January 13, 2015) – Santo Nino as fishmonger, as patriot, as coconut toddy (tuba) provider, and as speedy boater.
These are just four of numerous manifestations of the Holy Child experienced by people in over four centuries of devotion and reverence of his presence here in the Philippines.
A child will always be a child, they say, and the Holy Child is no exception. Stories abound of his pranks. The most popular of these which every devout Cebuano learned by oral tradition from their parents and forebears is the one about the Nino being a fishmonger.
Story goes that early one morning, a fish vendor was walking by the Basilica carrying a load of fish on a rattan tray on her head, locally called “lirong.” Some call it “nigo.” A boy whom she described as dark-skinned and with curly hair called her from the convent and told her that he would like to buy some fish but that she would have to come back for the payment a little later in the day as the priests were still asleep. Trustingly, the woman gave the child a string of fresh danggit (rabbitfish), a popular fish variety in Cebu.
Later that day, the vendor went back to the convent and asked the Padre Cura for payment. But the priest denied having a dark-skinned, curly-haired boy for a servant, more so ordering anyone to buy fish.
A little search led them to the image and there the string of fish was, resting by the feet of the miraculous icon. The Padre could argue no more.
Another manifestation had it that a certain Colonel C.F. Sharp was surprised by a Cebuano volunteer who came to him in Fort San Pedro used as a military headquarters during World War II. Sharp described the volunteer as no more than a boy with dark skin and curly hair. This story was noted by Cebuana newspaper writer/editor Conching Briones who saw first hand the horrors of World War II in Cebu. She was quoted to have reported this in her column Dateline Cebu in “The Evening News” (1961). The story circulated in 1943. Sharp was an American officer of the United States Army in the Far East (USAFE).
The USAFE was officially closed down in 1942, but it secretly continued recruiting patriotic volunteers to fight the Japanese invaders.
Still another story is that of his being a speedy boater, perhaps one of the most touching of his manifestations. Testimony was written by the recipient himself, a sailor named Fernando Saavedra de Gracia. In his letter posted from Manila, dated Sept. 26, 1877 addressed to his Cebu-based friend, one Don Fidel Maas y Matti, de Gracia narrated that on the morning of Sept. 3, he hurriedly left the church of San Agustin (now the Basilica) and rushed to join his ship – Barcelona – at the port.
Much to his chagrin, however, the Barcelona had already left for Manila and was already at some distance from the pier. Then a boy approached him and spoke to him in fluent Spanish, just like a native speaker and told him he knows where the sailor is going. And that he could catch up with the ship, that had just left port, through his baroto (dug-out canoe).
While seated in the boat, de Gracia noticed that though the boy was not paddling, the baroto was sailing very fast. They caught up with the ship. A rope ladder was lowered for de Gracia by co-workers onboard. When he asked the boater how much the fare was, the boy told him to donate the money to the Hospicio de San Jose in Manila. When he asked the boy his name, the boy purportedly answered: “I am Jesus of Cebu.”
There is a story too that the Santo Nino walked along the shores of Old Cebu at night, and in the morning the image would smell of seawater and that dried amor seco weeds get stuck at the hem of the icon’s cape. So the priests assigned the sacristan mayor to check the icon regularly, have the weeds removed before the church opens for Mass.
The sacristan, tired of removing the amor seco weeds this time, complained “my goodness, you wandered again last night, hope you brought me some coins so I can buy myself tuba (coconut toddy).”
Indeed, after he had cleared the cape of weeds, he found some coins by the feet of the image.
An exhibit of “The Different Devotions to the Santo Nino” features these information along with a timeline of the Order of Saint Augustine presence in the Philippines, paintings and photographs, as well as varying versions of the icon like Santo Nino de Arevalo of Iloilo, Santo Nino de Pandakan, Santo Nino de Tondo, San Nino de la Victoria, Santo Nino Palaboy (vagabond), among many others. Exhibit runs from Jan. 12-19, 2015 at SM City Cebu Art Center.
The Different Images of the Sto. Nino
January in the Philippines is a very important month for the Roman Catholics. We commemorate the Feasts of the Black Nazarene and the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus).
The most famous festivals happen in Quiapo, Tondo, Aklan, and Cebu. Pilgrims flock to these places to show their love, devotion, and penance.
| The Santo Niño or Child Jesus |
For more than 400 years, the Philippines was colonized by Spain which brought Catholicism to the country. Tradition, culture, and society have been ingrained by what we have learned centuries ago.
The first known image of the Santo Niño in the country was brought by the Magellan Expedition in 1521.
It was given as a gift to the wife of Raja Humabon, Hara Humamay on the occasion of their conversion to Christianity. They were renamed Carlos after the Spanish king and Juana, the name of King Carlos’ mother.
According to historical narrative, this image was lost and was discovered by a Spanish soldier during the Legazpi Expedition in 1565.
The image is now displayed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Cebu. The Sinulog Festival honors thr Child Jesus. The celebration happens during the third Sunday of January.
We praise through prayers, parades, singing, dancing or just being with family and friends.
Here are some images of the Child Jesus that are showcased yearly in Ayala Mall at Cebu City during the annual Sinulog Festival.
It depicts the Sto. Niño in different costumes dressed according to what the owner wants. Some icons are decades-old even hundreds-old. They’ve been passed on to family from generations. They’re displayed in homes, offices, establishments, or even in vehicles. The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus cannot be measured.
Visiting any Santo Niño exhibit would produce wonder at the artistry and faithfulness these implies.
The photo gallery below celebrates the majesty of Sr. Santo Niño.
Here are some of the different images of Senyor Santo Niño.
Representations of Jesus
- Santo Niño de Cebú, a Filipino representation of the Child Jesus
- Santo Niño de Atocha, a Hispanic representation of the Child Jesus
- Santissimo Gesu de Malines (Infant Jesus of Mechelen), a Dutch representation of the Child Jesus that greatly resembles the image from Cebú
- Niño Dios of Mexico, a Mexican representation of the Infant Jesus
- Divino Niño, a Colombian representation of the Infant Jesus
- Santo Bambino of Aracoeli, an Italian representation of the Infant Jesus
- Santo Niño de la Salud (Holy Infant of Good Health), a Child Jesus depiction from Morelia (Michoacán State), Mexico
- Santo Niño Jesus de la Praga (Infant Jesus of Prague), a French representation of the Child Jesus
Philippines (places where there are sto. nino chapels)
- Santo Niño, Cagayan
- Santo Niño, Samar
- Santo Niño, South Cotabato
- Santo Niño de Tondo Parish, Tondo, Manila
- Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu City, Cebu
- Santo Niño, a barangay in Bogo, Cebu
- Santo Niño, a barangay in San Felipe, Zambales Province
- Santo Nino, Catbalogan, a baraŋgay in Catbalogan, Samar Province
- Santo Niño, a barangay in Marikina City
what does sto. nino mean?
The Santo Niño de Cebú (Cebuano: Balaang Bata sa Sugbo, Filipino: Ang Banal na Sanggol ng Cebu, Spanish: Santo Niño de Cebú, Central Bicolano: Santo Nino kan Cebu) is a Roman Catholic title of the Child Jesus associated with a religious image of the Christ Child widely venerated as miraculous by Filipino Catholic. It is the oldest Catholic relic in the Philippines,originally a gift from explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his chief consort on account of their baptism in 1521.
| Holy Child of Cebu Santo Niño sa Sugbo, Santo Niño de Cebú, Ang Banal na Sanggol ng Cebu | |
|---|---|
| Original image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebú | |
| Location | Cebu, Philippines |
| Date | 21 April 1521 |
| Witness | Ferdinand Magellan Antonio Pigafetta Rajah Humabon |
| Type | Wooden statue |
| Holy See approval | Pope Innocent XIII Pope Paul VI Pope John Paul II Pope Francis |
| Shrine | Basilica Minore del Santo Niño |
| Attributes | Crown, sceptre, globus cruciger, dark skin, maroon mantle |
The dark wood statue measures approximately twelve inches tall, and carved in the Flemish style. It depicts the Child Jesus with a serene countenance, in the attitude and dress of a Spanish monarch.[ The statue bears imperial regalia including a gold crown, globus cruciger, and various sceptres, wears fine vestments, and possesses jewellery mostly offered by devotees over several centuries.
Pope Paul VI granted a Canonical Coronation of the statue on 28 April 1965 and later raised its shrine to the status of Minor Basilica on 2 May 1965 via his Papal bull Cubanula Religionis to mark the 4th Centenary of Christianity in the Philippine Islands .[
The image is replicated in various parts of the country with different titles and is one of the most beloved and recognizable Filipino cultural icons. The annual dancing feast of Sinulog is held every January on the third Sunday in its honor. Today, the original image is permanently encased behind bulletproof glass inside its chapel within the Minor Basilica del Santo Niño.
Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum: A Collection of Filipinos’ Grandiose Past
The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is the most visited spot in Tacloban City for it is known to contain hundreds of artifacts, antiques and art pieces coming from around the world that were collected during the Marcos regime. To name a few there are Italian tiles, Argentine carpets, chandeliers from Czech Republic, Chinese porcelain jars and Austrian mirrors.
It is located in Real St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte. When super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) hit the Philippines in 2013, this beautiful shrine and museum was not immune to the havoc it brought to the country.
An entrance fee of about P200-P230 for the tour is collected to help with the maintenance of the shrine and additional fees for those who will use their cameras and video cams. (Rates may subject to change without prior notice).
The 2-storey structure is under the requisition of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) since 1986. The property was one of the 20 presidential rest houses that were built by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, a Taclobanon.
In 1979, a religious landmark was built in honor of the Holy Child. The shrine highlights the Sto. Niño image, the patron of Tacloban City. It serves as a chapel and museum at the same time a guest house with 21 bedrooms. Each room has its own unique motif showcasing Filipino artistry and creativeness with a blend of Asian and European fixtures.
One will also find giant paintings of famous Spanish artist Bebsi Brias of the Romualdez and Marcos family and other paintings of famous painters, grand pianos, wooden sculptures, antique and ivory collections. Check also one of its rooms which is a replica of the grand ballroom of Malacañang Palace.
There are many more guestrooms to explore with different themes. There’s sampaguita, shell, banig, coconut and butterfly inspired rooms among others. You must visit this place when you’re in Tacloban!
The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. For inquiries, call (53) 321-9775 or 401-8172.
(photos from DOT Eastern Visayas FB unless otherwise stated)
How to Get There
From Manila, you can easily fly to “The Gateway to Eastern Visayas,” Tacloban, as all major airlines service the city. (Estimated cost: Php 2,700++, round trip, 1 hour and 15 minutes).
By ferry, it will take approximately 36 hours. And it will take almost a day if by bus.
VIEW: See what else to bring home from Visayas with the Choose Philippines Pasalubong Guide:
More of Tacloban City, Leyte
1) 10 Reasons to Choose Tacloban: The Gateway of Eastern Visayas (Its Beauty After the Storm + More)
2) Binagol: A Sweet Surprise in a Coconut Shell
3) Urban Legend: The Bloody Secret of the Longest Bridge in the Philippines
4) The Charie Chronicles: Tacloban Day 1
5) The Charie Chronicles: Tacloban Day
Santo Niño Chapel
In 1975, Fr. Rector, Restituto Suarez, OSA, spearheaded the construction of the marble side chapel for the public veneration of the Santo Niño even during celebrations inside the basilica as devotees kept multiplying. This was constructed ten years after the 4th centenary celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines and the elevation of the San Agustin Church into a Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu in 1965. The third Basilica to be declared after Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Batangas City (1948) and Basilica of St Martin of Tours, Taal (1948). These two churches were also built and founded by the Augustinian missionaries.
It is almost five centuries old, but the original image of the Child Jesus is still being displayed inside a bullet-proof glass box at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. The original image of the Santo Niño, which was brought to Cebu by conquistador Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, has been open for viewing by pilgrims and visitors. The devotees are allowed to view the original image of the Holy Child but this is closely guarded and could no longer be brought outside for the Fiesta Señor activities. The age and vulnerability of the pine wood used to carve the image has prevented the Augustinian community in Cebu from using it for special occasions. The last time the original image was used in an outside activity was in 1993. Officials of the Augustinian community in Cebu stopped the practice after the icon fell from the carroza during one of the solemn processions. It was broken and had to be restored. Reyes said the Basilica had to create six replicas, including the “replica mayor,” which was used in every solemn processions.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu
Library
Heeding the wise advice of St. Augustine of Hippo that in every house there should be a library (Possidius 31, 6,8), the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica put up a library in one of the corners of the convent. We don’t exactly know when this library was put up, but it is safe to surmise that it was established when the convent was constructed and completed in 1764. Originally, its ceiling had beautiful, elaborate paintings, but unfortunately the fire that transpired in the middle 80’s obliterated them. The library has a mezzanine where many old books are stacked. A gallery of the past Rectors of the Basilica from 1951 to the present adorns the mezzanine. Also, in the library can be found a big coat-of-arms of the House of Hapsburgs, an antique image of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The library, for centuries, was for the exclusive use of the Friars. But, in the year 2000, it was opened to researchers so that it can be of service to them. Since then, the library has accommodated a lot of researchers doing specific studies on the image of Santo Niño de Cebu, the church (Basilica), the convent and the Augustinians in the Philippines and in the world. However, the collection of books of the library is not only confined to these, but it also has books in various disciplines like, history and geography, religion, theology, philosophy, social sciences, languages, arts and literature. Aside from the antique books, special collections of the library include rare photographs of the momentous celebration of the Fourth Centennial of the Philippine Christianization in 1965.
Library Logogram
An eagle with two heads and displayed wings in the coat-of-arms of the House of Hapsburgs. The double heads signify the conjoining of two powers, the Austrian and Spanish Hapsburgs, which were united through royal intermarriage. The spread wings indicate protection, and the eagle denotes noble stature, strength and bravery.
Library Collections
General Reference – is a catchall classification of encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, atlases,Almanacs, bibliographies, globe, yearbook and rare books.
Subject Reference – this classification provide, books about philosophy, religion, social science, languages (Spanish and other languages in the 17th, 18th and 19th century), pure science, applied science, arts, literature, history and geography.
Filipiniana Section – collections include books by Filipino authors, books about the Philippines and published in the Philippines.
Periodicals – include bound issues of journals, magazines and newspapers.
Archive – collection of events and records.
Augustinian Sections
- Books on the Augustinians authored by the Augustinian friars and Non-Augustinians.
- Periodicals published by the Augustinians they consist of magazines, journals, newsletters.
- Information files include Augustinian documents, academic yearbooks, directories and manuals.
Other Library Service
- Photocopying
Library Hours
Monday to Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Convent
The conquering troops of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, upon landing in Cebu, in April 1565, discovered an image of the Christ Child inside a burning house. The soldier Juan Camus, a Basque, found the image still inside a wooden box. The image was clearly the Santo Niño done in the style of Flanders. The Augustinians in Legazpi’s expedition regarded the finding as an omen of good things to come. Thereupon the Augustinians established their first house. It was 28 April 1565. On 8 May Legazpi and his men drew up plans for the urbanization of Cebu and a site was allotted for a church and convent dedicated to Saint Augustine. A chapel of wood and nipa was hastily built and with appropriate ceremonies the image was enthroned in the chapel. On 1 June, Fr. Diego de Herrera, OSA was appointed as the first prior of the convent.
In 1599, the convent was made a house of studies of grammar, headed by the Visayan linguist, Fr. Alonso de Mentrida. It also served as a rest house for missionaries working in the province and as a retirement home for the aged and the sick, usually attended to by a lay brother.
In 1578, the convent was authorized to accept novices and in 1599 became a house of studies. Here Fr. Alonso de Mentrida studied and taught the Visayan language. The convent also served as an infirmary and rest house for other Augustinians working in the Visayas.
Convento del Santo Niño:
Built around an atrium, the adjacent convento is still a residence for the Augustinian priests. Parish offices now occupy the first story while the friars’ living quarters is on the second. An intricately carved stairway decorated by a carved newel post with Chinese-style lions leads to the spacious aula or living room, where a 19th century painting of Augustinian saints is displayed. A copy of this painting can be seen in the San Agustin Museum in Manila. Permission to enter the second story is needed.
In 2016, a stained glass of the Holy family was installed with the images of the Sto. Niño, Blessed Mother in the image of the Our Lady of Consolation and Joseph put together in one piece of artwork. It could be seen at the stairway going to the convent in the second floor.
A museum to the Santo Niño of Cebu, formerly housed in one of the rooms on the first story, has been transferred to the bleachers constructed in front of the church for the Sinulog festivities and for the overflow crowd during church holy days.
Infographics (baybayin)
Santo Niño de Cebu’s Image
Photo credits to wikipedia.
The Santo Niño de Cebú image was originally produced by Flemish artisans, according to a hagiography, based on a vision of Teresa of Avila a mystic of the 16th century.
In early 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in the service of Charles V of Spain, was on his voyage to find a westward route to spice islands. In April 7, 1521, he landed in Limasawa, Southern Leyte, and met local ruler named Raja Kulambu, who introduced him to the ruler of Cebu Island named Rajah Humabon and his chief consort, Hara Humamay. On April 14, 1521, Magellan presented them with three gifts: a cross, an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Santo Niño as a part of their baptism, and a strategic alliance for territorial conquest. As the host ruler adopted the Catholic faith, he took the Christian name of Carlos (after Charles V), while Humamay was christened Juana (after Joanna of Castile, Charles’ mother). According to Pigafetta – Magellan’s companion and memoir writer, along with the ruler, about 500 males there, along with the Queen and 40 women were also converted by Father Valderrama. At the ceremony, for example, the Raja Kulambu of Limawasa also converted and was renamed as Don Juan, while his Muslim captain was renamed Don Cristobal.
A few days after the baptism, Magellan undertook a war expedition on the behalf of the newly named Carlos,[16] attacked Mactan Island, burning down hamlets who resisted.The residents led by Lapu Lapu defended Magellan’s attack with force, and Magellan died on 27 April 1521 in the Battle of Mactan, about three weeks after he had arrived in Philippines.After Magellan’s death, his Spanish colleagues left.
The next Spanish expedition arrived on April 27, 1565, again to gain a foothold for a colony to trade spices, and this was led by Miguel López de Legazpi. He attempted a peaceful colonization, but these efforts were rejected. He opened fire on Cebu and burnt the coastal town down destroying 1500 homes and possibly killing 500 people.
In the ruins of this destruction, the Spanish mariner Juan Camus found the image of the Santo Niño in a pine box. According to the local legend, the survival of the statue was seen as a sign of miracle by the colonizers, and ever since it has been believed to have miraculous powers.
The image of the Santo Niño is the oldest surviving Catholic relic in the Philippines, along with the Magellan cross. A church to house Santo Niño was built on the spot where the image was found by Juan Camus. The church was originally made out of bamboo and mangrove palm and claims to be the oldest parish in the Philippines. It was reconstructed later, and Pope Paul VI elevated it to the status of Minor Basilica on its 400th anniversary (Spanish: Basílica Menor del Santo Niño).
Anvimexy♥ 
