The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival

The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, and is the centre of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.The festival is considered to be first of most popular festivals in the Philippines, with every celebration of the festival routinely attracting around 1 to 2 million people from all over the Philippines every year.Aside from the religious aspect of the festival, Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually happening the night before and the night of the main festival.Other places like Kabankalan City, Maasin City, Balingasag Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and Pagadian City also have their own version of the festival in honor of Santo Niño.

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which roughly means “like WATERcurrent movement;” it describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and street dancing. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language

Sinulog is the ritual prayer-dance honoring Señor Santo Niño or the Child Jesus. An image of the Child Jesus is said to be the baptismal gift the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan gave Hara Amihan (Humanay) of Zebu (now Cebu) in April 1521. The image, believed to be miraculous, is housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City.

The Sinulog dance moves are basically two steps forward and one step backward as the dancer sways to a distinct rhythm of drums. This movement resembles the current (Sulog) of what was known as Cebu’s Pahina River.According to historical accounts, the Cebu natives already danced the Sinulog in honor of their animist idols long before the arrival of Magellan who led a Spanish expedition on April 7, 1521. Magellan did not live long after he introduced Christianity. He died in a failed assault on nearby Mactan island at the hands of a local chieftain named Lapu-Lapu.Survivors of Magellan’s expedition left behind the image to be discovered 44 years later.The expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi bombarded the native settlement when they arrived on April 28, 1565. In one of the burning huts, one of Legazpi’s men, Juan Camus, discovered the image of the Santo Niño inside a wooden box beside other idols. This time however, Legazpi discovered that the natives already dance the Sinulog honoring the Santo Niño.

Today the Sinulog commemorates the Filipino people’s acceptance of Christianity (specifically, Roman Catholicism), and their rejection of their former animist beliefs (worship of nature and sustainable utilization of resources). The first of these conversions happened in 1521 on the island of Cebu, when Indianized-Sanskritized ruler Rajah Humabon and his queen Amihan (Humamay) were baptized along with their subjects, becoming Carlos and Juana of Cebu.On March 16, 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory for Spain. He presented the image of the Child Jesus to the Rajah Humabon. Hara Humamay (or Amihan in some versions) was later named, Queen Juana after Juana, mother of Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also converted to the Roman Catholic faith.

This event is frequently used as basis for most Sinulog dances, which dramatize the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who were often afflicted with sickness believed to be caused by demons and other evil spirits.

The Sinulog dance steps are believed to originate from Rajah Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay. It was during Humabon’s grief when Baladhay fell sick. Humabon ordered his native tribe to bring Baladhay into a room where the Santo Niño was enthroned, along with the other pagan gods of the native Cebuanos. After a few days passed, Baladhay was heard shouting and was found dancing with utmost alertness. Baladhay was questioned as to why was he was awake and shouting. Pointing to the image of the Santo Niño, Baladhay explained that he had found on top of him a small child trying to wake him and tickling him with the midrib of the coconut. Greatly astonished, he scared the child away by shouting. The little child got up and started making fun of Baladhay. In turn, Baladhay danced with the little child and explained that he was dancing the movements of the river. To this day, the two-steps forward, one-step backward movement is still used by Santo Niño devotees who believe that it was the Santo Niño’s choice to have Baladhay dance.

The Cebu City Historical Committee, which was responsible for the conceptualization of the Sinulog as a provincial event, decided to adopt a logo for the Sinulog to identify it as an institutionalized yearly event. They turned to the coat of arms of the Santo Niño which consisted of a two-headed hawk that was the mark of the ruling House of Habsburg in Europe. The emblem represented the twin purpose of the Habsburg dynasty as “Champion of Catholicism and Defender of the Faith.” At the time when Spain sent expeditions to the Philippines, they were under the Habsburg dynasty. The committee viewed that using the image of the Santo Niño as part of the symbol as sacrilege.The Sinulog committee then incorporated the two-headed eagle to a native warrior’s shield. The native shield is supposed to symbolize the Philippines resistance to colonization while the Santo Niño’s coat of arms printed on its face represented the country’s acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

https://youtu.be/w4huqNFWGXs
credits to: Darius Palma

Why the Fiesta Señor is held every third Sunday of January?

At present, every third Sunday of January, the feast day of the Sto. Niño is celebrated. But this is not actually its original feast day; rather, the Feast of the Sto. Niño was originally on April 28. It coincided with the discovery of the image of the Holy Child Jesus in Cebu in 1565 by one of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s soldiers. The finding of the image was considered providential to the Spaniards who arrived in Cebu that a feast is deemed proper in honor of the Holy Child through the order of Legazpi. Thus, April 28 became the original feast of the Sto. Niño.When Cebu was conquered, the Spaniards named the place “Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus” (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) in honor of the Holy Child. In addition, when the Augustinians established a Province after some time, the titular patron is to the same name of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Thus, the Sto. Niño is closely associated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus’ festivity. The feast honoring the Most Holy Name of Jesus was at that time an optional memorial wherein religious orders have the freedom to celebrate in various dates. Franciscans, Carmelites and Augustinians celebrate it on January 14; Dominicans on January 15; in some localities the date was on January 8. But, Pope Innocent XIII inserted into the General Calendar on December 20, 1721 that the feast be celebrated on the second Sunday after the Epiphany following the date observed by the Carthusians. Consequently, since January 19, 1721 was the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany and at the same time falls on the third Sunday of January, it could be presumed that the basis of the feast of the Sto. Niño is this date that until present is being celebrated. Therefore, there is no fixed date on the celebration before the 1721 reform.Meanwhile, it is also good to note that in 1641, the Prior Provincial of the Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de Filipinas ordered that the feast of the Sto. Niño be celebrated every January 14. Consequently, it coincides with the date mentioned above on the

Augustinians celebrating the Most Holy Name of Jesus every January 14. January 14, 1641 falls on a Monday of that year. The Prior of the Sto. Niño church at that time was Rev. Fr. Francisco Villalon, OSA.

Upon considering this reform in the General Calendar of the Church, the feast of the Holy Child, Sto. Niño was moved also to this date during the papacy of Innocent XIII. However, other sources are considering that the feast was moved to the third Sunday to avoid conflict with the “Eastertide” or 50-day period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.This special feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is a reverence on Jesus’ name which is closely associated with the feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was circumcised, received his name, and became a full member of God’s covenant people.On the contrary, according to the 1962 Roman Missal, the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is kept on the first Sunday in the year; but if this Sunday falls on January 1, 6 or 7, the feast is kept on January 2.

The historical context that took place in the Church is likely the reason for the change.Probably, the feast of the Sto. Niño in April was celebrated for 76 years since its finding in 1565 and based on the transfer of the feast every January 14 since 1641 by the Prior Provincial at that time. It was only later that having a fixed date for the Catholic Church to celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is every 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, which was introduced by Pope Innocent XIII in 1721.Moreover, there is no exact record when did the transfer of the feast really started as to what it is at present. The liturgical change of Innocent XIII could have not been possible that the feast was immediately implemented to January but probably it was only later implemented to the Philippine Church calendar.

Lastly, at present, the finding of the image on April 28 holds importance to the history of the Church and the devotion to the Holy Child. It is for this reason that the finding is remembered every year. It is now called as the “KAPLAG” (Finding). A nine-day novena is being introduced following the novena of the January celebration. It also highlights the visit of the pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the San Nicholas Church.

https://youtu.be/w4huqNFWGXs

credits to: darius palma

What is the significance of a Minor Basilica?

In the Philippines, there are only 14 Minor Basilicas that were granted with such title by different popes
through the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of Sacraments. The Basilica Minore del
Sto. Nino de Cebu is one of those churches that were granted with privileges, obligations and conditions
as a minor Basilica. This is the 4th church to be declared a minor Basilica in the Philippines that was
granted on April 1, 1965 via a Papal Bull Ut Clarificetur Nomen Domini Pope Paul VI. Moreover, with
Basilica Minore of San Sebastian in Manila as first in 1890.
San Agustin Church is the former name of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu. It was elevated into
a Basilica on the occasion of the 4thcentenary of the Christianization of the country in 1965. The
declaration was a kind of a gift of the Pope to the Philippine Catholic Church recognizing the significance
of the church and the devotion of the Holy Child contributing to the development and growth the faith
in the islands.
What is the significance of the Minor Basilica designation?[i]Here is a brief description about being
called a minor basilica.
Background on Basilicas
While somewhat familiar to Catholics, the term Basilica originally referred to a specific function and style
of building in use during the time of the Roman Empire. A Basilica was a public building used by the
Emperor or Judges for major events of noble import or significance. The structure was usually
distinguished by columns, a long center aisle, and an apse within the building. It was into the apse that
the Emperor or Judge would be seated.
As Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, Basilicas were converted into churches,
with the Altar and Tabernacle of Our Lord, Jesus Christ substantially present in the apse, the place once
occupied by the Emperor. The Basilica thus became the “Royal House” that fulfilled the architectural
and canonical functions that raise it to a place of honor and privilege.
Two Types of Basilicas
There are two types of basilicas – Major Basilicas and Minor Basilicas. First among the Major Basilicas is
the Lateran Basilica of Saint John, which is the Pontifical Cathedral of the Holy Father as the Bishop of
Rome.
There are Four Major Basilica’s in Rome: the Lateran Basilica of Saint John, the Vatican Basilica of Saint
Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul-Outside-the-Walls, Saint Lawrence Outside-the-Walls, Saint
Sebastian, and the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem. Outside of the Eternal City, the Basilica of
Saint Francis in Assisi and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem are also designated Major
Basilicas.
Minor Basilicas are those churches throughout the Christendom that have been given a special
designation by the Holy Father. Reasons for bestowing this designation may be granted for architectural
beauty, historical significance, liturgical renown, or for any combination of these attributes. A Minor
Basilica shares a special relationship with the See of Rome and with the Holy Father. Various privileges
and obligations of the Minor Basilica highlight this important attachment to the Holy See and the
Supreme Pontiff.
What are the privileges and obligations of a Minor Basilica?[ii]

Privileges previously attached to the status of basilica included a certain precedence before other
churches, the right of the conopaeum (a baldachin resembling an umbrella; also called umbraculum,
ombrellino, papilio, sinicchio, etc.) and the bell (tintinnabulum), which were carried side by side in
procession at the head of the clergy on state occasions, and the wearing of a cappa magna by the
canons or secular members of the collegiate chapter when assisting at the Divine Office. In the case of
major basilicas these umbraculae were made of cloth of gold and red velvet, while those of minor
basilicas were of yellow and red silk—the colours traditionally associated with both the Papal See and
the city of Rome.
These external signs, except that of the cappa magna, are sometimes still seen in basilicas, but the latest
regulations of the Holy See on the matter, issued in 1989, make no mention of them. The status of being
a basilica now confers only two material privileges: the right to include the papal symbol of the crossed
keys on a basilica’s banners, furnishings and seal, and the right of the rector of the basilica to wear a
distinctive mozzetta over his surplice. The other privileges now granted concern the liturgy of the
celebration of the concession of the title of basilica, and the granting of a plenary indulgence on certain
days to those who pray in the basilica.
The document imposes on basilicas the obligation to celebrate the liturgy with special care, and requires
that a church for which a grant of the title is requested should have been liturgically dedicated to God
and be outstanding as a center of active and pastoral liturgy, setting an example for others. It should be
sufficiently large and with an ample sanctuary. It should be renowned for history, relics or sacred
images, and should be served by a sufficient number of priests and other ministers and by an adequate
choir.
Many basilicas are notable churches, and often receive significant pilgrimages. In December 2009 the
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico set a record with 6.1 million pilgrims in two days for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

credits to: walkabout- explore philippines

The Fluvial Parade

San Agustin notes that Magellan’s expedition “discovered the mouth of the cove of Cebu called
Mandaue on 7 April at noon in 1521.” The fluvial parade, a civic celebration started in the early 1980’s
re-enacts the arrival of Magellan’s galleons bringing the image of the Santo Niño to Cebu, with
performers portraying Queen Juana carrying the image and King Humabon and the Spanish settlers
taking the Image by sea from port of Mandaue to the port of Cebu.Held on the Saturday morning before
the Sunday feast of the Santo Niño, the fluvial parade has become one of the highlights of the annual
feast.
Hundreds of thousands prepare themselves as early as 5:00 in the morning to embark on sea craft or
assume terrestrial vantage points as onlookers. The blowing of sea craft horns at 7:00 in the morning
marks the start of the parade. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, OSA prior of the Augustinian community in Cebu,
clarified in a newspaper article that while devotees mistake the parade as a “procession,” the activity is
actually a “parade” which is both religious and civic in nature. The only religious factor is the presence of
the replica of the Santo Niño, and icons of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Cebu, and Saint Joseph, the patron
saint of Mandaue.
On the Friday prior to the parade, the replicas of the images of the Santo Niño and Our Lady of
Guadalupe are brought by motorcade to Saint Joseph’s church in Mandaue City in what is known as the
annual traslacion prior to the fluvial parade. The five parishes of Mandaue City welcome the visiting
Images with the pealing of church bells, while Mandauehanons (residents of Mandaue), who live along
the motorcade route decorate their house fronts. There is then a Misa de Traslacion (Mass honoring the
Transfer), and a vigil at the church. In early years, starting at 3:00 in the morning the next day, Saturday,
Diana (reveille; daybreak) presentation of higantes (giant and giantless figures) paraded through the City
of Mandaue followed by a Mass at 4:00 in the morning, then a foot procession from the church to
Ouano wharf for the fluvial parade. The use of Ouano private wharf and yacht (named Señor Santo Niño)
has been the political family’s offering to the Santo Niño since 1983; their private yacht is used
exclusively for the purpose of the fluvial parade.
In 1986, the “fluvial” included about 15 gaily decorated vessels, while hundreds of participants met the
image at the pier and danced their way to the Basilica to escort the Icon. By 2003, the fluvial parade
marked its nineteenth year, and a flotilla of about 112 boats joined the parade, which never failes to
draw crowds and cheers. Helicopters shower confetti, ships sound their bullhorns, people onshore light
firecrackers and release balloons. The image is now met at the pier by numerous devotees, as well as
some groups who authorized by the Basilica to perform the Sinulog, these latter groups have been
limited due to considerations.
The Cebu coast guard closes the Mactan channel to public sea crafts for four hours to give way to the
fluvial parade which, however, in 2003, had a few minor accidents among some unregistered
participants. The fluvial parade ends at the Cebu City Pier I, after which a procession takes the replica of
the Santo Niño from the pier to the Basilica. (Astrid Sala-Boza).

The Case of the Poisoned Family
Banawa, the Kingdom of King Humabon, bordered the sea. During the months of November and
December, as was always his custom, he reminded his people to be wary of eating a certain kind of
poisonous fish locally called boriring (globe fish). He had to do it because during those two months this

kind of fish swarmed like ants hear seashore. So thick were this kind of fish that a mere child could pick
them up like picking up pebbles along the seashore.
Now there lived in Pansil (now called Pasil), a part of Humabon’s Kingdom, a certain family consisting of
a father, a mother, two sons and two daughters. One day a neighbour found the members of this family
lying prostrate on their kitchen floor. The neighbour was surprised. He went up the house to find out
what caused them to lie flat on the floor as if they were dead. He found the unfinished dinner of the
family – rice on the plates and a big fish locally called tambanguno almost totally eaten on another
plate.The neighbour at once concluded that the family was poisoned eating the fish. But the fish was not
poisonous. How could the family be poisoned? It was however, resolved that the tambanguno had eaten
boriring and having eaten it, its poison remained in the flesh of the tambanguno.
When the accident was reported to King Humabon, he ordered that all members of the poisoned family
be brought to the square before his palace so that all people could see them, and having seen them,
learn a lesson. A great crowd gathered around the family who were lying flat on three lantay (bamboo
beds). Two of the onlookers were the Amoy and Queen Juana. The Amoy was told by King Humabon to
say a prayer for the dead. But Queen Juana went up the palace to fetch the image of the Holy Child.
Before long she returned with the image.
While the Amoy was mumbling the prayer, Queen Juana went to each member of the poisoned family,
letting the feet of the Image touch the forehead of each. Wonder of wonders! The members of the
poisoned family all opened their eyes as if they had just awakened from sleep. In no time at all, they all
stood up as if nothing happened to them.The onlookers stood rooted on the ground with surprise.
Never had they witness a “miracle” such as this. (Manuel Enriquez de la Calzada).

credits to: Albert Dajab

Different prayers to Sto. Nino

DAILY PRAYER TO SANTO NIÑO
(HOLY CHILD JESUS).

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers.
We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs.
Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help.
Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of your love! Amen.
Holy Child Jesus, have mercy on us!

PRAYER TO SANTO NIÑO

O Señor Santo Niño, You are our king and our god, we worship you, you are our strong Defender, we turn to you; You are the Patron of Cebu and Philippines, we come to you; You have made extraordinary wonders. Through your miraculous Image in these chosen islands, remember us. Look down at this poor soul that comes to You for help. Lead us with your wisdom, discipline us with Your Truth, console us with Your Tenderness, protect us with Your Might.

We consecrate today our thoughts to You, only with You shall they be occupied; our words, only of you shall they speak; our sufferings, that we may endure them for your sake. We beg You, Señor Santo Niño, illumine our understanding, kindle our will, cleanse our body, sanctify our soul. We wish what you wish, because you wish, as you wish, as long as you wish.

Grant us, Señor Santo Niño, that we may feel love toward You, be strict toward ourselves, be zealous toward our fellowmen, and rightly despise the things of the world. Help us to overcome sensuality with strict discipline, avariciousness with generosity, anger with gentleness, indolence with zealous industry. Make us wise in counsel, courageous in danger, patient in adversity, humble in prosperity.

Teach us, dear Santo Niño, how worthless is the world, how sublime is heaven, how brief is time, how long is eternity. Grant us, lastly, that we may remember You, adore You, and serve You here on earth that we may be happy with You forever and ever in Heaven. Amen.

ACT OF CONTRITION

Oh, Dear Jesus, You are our King and our God, because of your love for us, You came down from heaven and born of the Virgin Mary. We repent all the transgressions we have committed against you. Forgive us, Oh Jesus, for our sins of ingratitude. Strengthen our will to resist temptations. Grant us the grace not to sin again that we may enjoy the blessings of Heaven.

Oh, Holy Child Jesus, son of the living God, who is ever-good and loving. We kneel before you our True God. We humbly ask to give us your mercy and grant us all the favors we ask of You in this Novena.

AMEN.

Bato Balani sa Gugma (Gozos)

Bato balani sa gugma,
sa daan tawo palangga. 

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA 

Dinhi sa syudad sa Sugbo
ang matahum mong larawan
sa unang mga misyonero
sa usang balay hipalgan.
Kanila ikaw nagpakita
gikan da sa imong gugma. 

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA 

Giludhan ikaw gisimba
niadtong mga kaparian.
Sa tanan nga katawhan
sa mga punoan nila
kay sa pagtan-aw kanimo
kristyano sila nahimo. 

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA 

Ang simbahan gipatindog
niadtong mga tawhana
aron ang larawan nimo
dunay usang puloy-anan,
ug didto gihangyo nila
nga kaloy-an nimo sila. 

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA 

Nangayo kami kanimo
nga ang matahom mong larawan
sa sulod sa kalag namo
makahimog puloy-anan
kay sa tanang kinahanglan
ikaw ang among dalangpan. 

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

The Hubo rite

The Sinulog procession includes dancing and fiesta in reverence of Santo Nino. Above, a Sinulog participant carrying a copy of the Santo Nino statue.

The festival officially ends on the Friday after the icon’s feast day, and it is marked with the traditional Hubo (Cebuano, “undress”) rite. During a Mass, the basilica’s priests and sacristans ceremoniously and reverently strip the Santo Niño of its festal vestments and regalia.

There is a strict order of divesting the icon: first the crown is removed, followed by the orb and sceptre; then the belt, cape, tunic, inner garments; and finally, the boots. The priest recites a short petition before each removal, which is marked with a festive drum roll. The priest then chants Christe exaudi nos (Latin for “Christ, graciously hear us”).

The priest then raises the icon for veneration, carefully dips it in a basin of scented water four times, and wipes it dry. He then dresses it in a plainer set of robes, and replaces the regalia in reverse order of divesture. Upon replacing each item, he intones a prayer and leads the congregation in singing the refrain of the Laudes Regiæ: Christus Vincit; Christus Regnat; Christus, Christus Imperat (“Christ Conquers; Christ Reigns; Christ Commands”).

The rite is explained as highlighting Christ’s humility, and on the part of the individual believer, it should inspire an internal, spiritual conversion. It was only in 1990 when the Augustinian priests caring for the icon first made the rite public.^[22]

CEBU, Philippines —The traditional “hubo” ritual, or the undressing of the Santo Niño image, this Friday is set to cap off the 453rd Fiesta Señor, which is an annual celebration that honors the Holy Child Jesus depicted through the highly-revered and miraculous relic.

Augustinian priest Ric Anthony Reyes, who is the Fiesta Señor 2018 secretary, said the essence of the “hubo” rite indicates that the feast has already ended formally.

“Ang hubo ritual buot nagpasabot nga humana na ang fiesta. Si Niño ilisan ug paliguan. I-ilis ang simple na nga sinina tungod kay humana man ang kapistahan,” he told The FREEMAN yesterday in an interview.

The local Augustinian community, particularly members of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, serves as the custodians of the original wooden image which was a gift from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the early natives and chieftain’s wife who were later Christianized.

This historical event stretched back to 1521, which marks the arrival of Christianity in the country that came first through the shores of the Cebu islands.

The image, believed to be miraculous according to several accounts, is now carrying the title Santo Niño which is a representation of the Holy Child Jesus.

Given the significance of the image, the “hubo” ritual is not just a mere re-enactment, said Fr. Reyes.

He said the rite carries a religious importance wherein undressing the image of its royal or kingly vestment means Jesus’ “self-emptying and humility.”

“Gihuboan siya sa iyang harianong sapot tungod kay deep within niya siya nagpakatawo alang kanato,” he explained.

He said the rite also has a cultural touch because dressing and bathing is an act of caring and rearing children, a value of protecting and nourishing them.

Finally, Fr. Reyes said the re-enactment is devotional in a sense as the “hubo” rite is made a part of the vast devotion of the Catholic faithful to the Santo Niño to officially close the grandest festivity in Cebu.

The “hubo” rite commonly takes place five days after the feast, which is celebrated every third Sunday of January.

This year, it is set on January 26 at 4 a.m. in a Mass that will be presided over by Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr., the rector and prior of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

After the homily, there will be a rite, accompanied with prayers and dances, of undressing the image of its new vestments and bathing it, then dressing it back with its ordinary vestment. 

he “Hubo” ritual, or the undressing of the Sto. Niño image, takes place five days after the Grand Sinulog Parade held every 3rd Sunday of January.

Hubo is the Cebuano word for “to undress”. During the mass, priests ceremonially remove the festival garments of the image, bath the image in water laced with perfume, and don the image with ordinary vestments. According to Catholic tradition, the change of garments to less decorated ones symbolizes spiritual change within a person. The order of removal is as follows:

1)    crown
2)    orb and scepter
3)    bands
4)    cape
5)    tunic
6)    inner clothing
7)    boots

The bathing of the child Jesus also has significant meaning. When the image undergoes bathing, it symbolizes purification and cleansing to “renew ties with God”. The water used to wash the image is then referred to as “holy water.” However, many devotees try to ascribe the said water with magical and miraculous powers, to the disapproval of priests. According to the clergy, the holy water ought to bring adherents to a spirit of prayer, not heal any ailments and cure diseases automatically.

source: http://amaranthsanctuary.blogspot.com/

The new, ordinary garments are also used to elicit prayer. Every piece of clothing is taken to signify an event of Jesus’ life, and a prayer is recited for it.

Catholic Cebuanos believe that just as the Sinulog festival closes the Christmas season, the Hubo mass also closes the week-long fiesta and opens the Lenten season. In the past, the Hubo ritual was held behind closed doors by Augustinian friars and select women. After the public learned of the closed ritual, the church finally made the ceremony public in 1990. Any church or parish is permitted to hold the ritual if it wishes to.

Be one with the Cebuanos as they celebrate the “HUBO” mass ritual at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, at 4 a.m. on January 22, 2010.

Lighting a Candle at Santo Niño Basilica, Cebu

On my return visit to Cebu, me and my friends went back to Basilica del Santo Niño to light a candle at the church. Candle-lighing at the church is part of the tradition in the city, reflecting the religious past of the people of Cebu.

Outside Santo Niño Basilica were women offering candles for sale. Upon lighting a candle we bought from one of the women, we brought it back to her. She then offered a prayer for us. The prayer was done in a dance, the Sinulog dance that Cebuanos perform during Sinulog Festival, Cebu’s biggest annual festival dedicated to the Santo Niño. Sinulog dance symbolizes a fusion of Cebuanos’ pagan roots and their acceptance of the Roman Catholic faith. Sinulog came from the word “sulog,” which literally means “movement of the water,” thus the Sinulog dance performed by the women at the Santo Niño Basilica is like the motion of water, two steps forward and one step back, as they wave the candle in a prayerful song.

Facing the church, the woman offered prayers while doing the Sinulog dance.

The woman’s prayers were in Cebuano dialect, and although I did not understand a word said, it was good to experience this cultural tradition. Around the church, people were fervently offering prayers and lighting candles as well.

Inside Santo Niño Basilica, a mass was being held. At the left side of the church, a long line of people waited for their turn to see the Santo Niño image up close and to offer thanks and prayers to the Santo Niño.

It was said that Santo Niño Basilica was built on the very spot where Spanish explorers found a Santo Niño sculpture left behind from Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition.

The Santo Niño image was said to have been given by Magellan Rajah Humabon and his wife after they converted to Christianity. The Santo Niño image was left intact inside a burned wooden box. The Santo Niño image is considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines

The Basilica del Santo Niño also houses a small museum that carries paintings and memorabilia depicting the historical past of Cebu.

The Magellan’s Cross is confined in an octagonal small chapel fronting one of the entry points of the ever famous Basilica del Santo Niño church. The small chapel is covered with red tegula roof tiles and its walls were built with similar stones used in the Basilica. And, the ceiling was beautifully painted with murals depicting Cebu’s conversion to Christianity. What amaze tourists aside from the rich historical value of Magellan’s Cross are the testimonies of devotees of the miracles brought by their regular visit to the cross.

You’ll find candles stacked just beside the base of Magellan’s cross. Those are the prayers offered by devotees and visitors that passed by the small chapel. One candlestick is only about PhP 10 and the candle vendor themselves will lead the prayer ritual.

Interestingly, the candles are deliberately sold in colors for they have their corresponding meaning:

• Red –  Love of Santo Niño
• Blue – Devotion to Mama Mary
• Yellow – Health and Peace

• Pink – Happiness
• Green – Success in studies, work and finances

The candles are then offered to Santo Niño and placed at the foot of the cross. This has not only become a tradition but also initiated a livelihood opportunity of the members of the Plaza Sugbo Candle Vendor Association (PSCVA).

This tradition is known for Cebuanos as “Sinug”. Literally, it means ‘a flow of water’ but it can also connote a dance step usually executed during Cebu’s Sinulog Festival. But the vendors do not wait for the festival as they perform the famous step simultaneously during the prayer.

Present church

On February 29, 1735, Father Provincial Bergaño, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio y Ocampo of Cebu and Fray Juan de Albarran, O.S.A. started the foundations of the present church, using stone. Since the friars did not have the means to complete the church, they enlisted the help of the parishioners of Opon and San Nicolas to contribute materials, while the people of Talisay contributed labor. The lack of chief craftsmen and officers forced Fray Albarran to acquire some knowledge of architecture.^[2]

The church was finished not later than 1739.

On January 16, 1740, the miraculous image was enthroned in the new Augustinian church.

In 1789, the church underwent a renovation. In 1889, Fray Mateo Diez, O.S.A. did another renovation. The original features of the church have been retained except for the windows which he added.

In the 1960s, both church and convent underwent a bigger restoration on the occasion of the Fourth Centennial of the Christianization of the country. The face lifting was made with utmost respect for the historical character of the old structure.

In 1965, Ildebrando Cardinal Antoniutti, Papal Legate to the Philippines, conferred the church the honorific title Basilica Minore upon the authority of Pope Paul VI. As a Minor Basilica, it is given precedence over other churches and other privileges. Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos also declared it a National Landmark.

The Basilica del Santo Niño remains under the care of the Augustinian Friars.

The discovery of the 7100 island archipelago in the Philippines has been linked to Spain’s glorious chain of conquests. On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons commanded by Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sailed from San Lucar de Barrameda to search for the Spice Islands. They did not find the spice island, instead they landed in Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central part of the Philippines. Magellan took possession of the islands and named it after King Philip of Spain.

Magellan’s expedition headed for Cebu and found the island very hospitable. He made Cebu the base of his exploration, Christianization and conquests. King Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu gave him a warm reception and embraced Christianity as well. As gratitude to his hospitality, Magellan agreed to fight with king Humabon who was at war with the neigboring tribe in Mactan island. Magellan was killed in the battle. His men returned to Spain, and that same expedition has also set the record as the first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition to the Far East Region. An Augustinian priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico was summoned to lead the expedition. On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.
Because of Cebuanos suspicion that the Spaniards return has bringing retribution to Magellan’s death, another battle broke out. But heavy artilleries and huge cannons forced the natives to flee to the mountain leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground. As Spanish soldiers surveyed the debris of the village, a soldier found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed inside a wooden box. As earlier authenticated entry in the Journal of Pigafetta, clerk in the Magellan expedition, explained the origin of Santo Nino: “On the day Queen Juana was baptized by Father Pedro Valderama, chaplain of that expedition, Pigaffeta himself presented her with the Image.” The same Image now lies in the Basilica del Santo Nino and become a favorite destination for millions of pilgrims each year. For four and half centuries now, the Image of Santo Nino continues to make wonders in the lives of many Filipinos. On the third Sunday of each year, in Cebu, millions will flock to the streets in Cebu for a colorful festivity, honoring the Santo Nino and

placing the Island and the entire Philippines under His Patronage.

During the last World War, a bomb fell inside the Church but the Image was recovered unscathed. It was one of the numerous miracles and powers attributed to the Holy Image. 
In 1965 the historic Santo Nino Church was renovated for the observance of the Fourth Centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines held in Cebu City. It was during the centennial celebration that the Sacred Congregation of Rites elevated the Santo Nino Church to the rank of Basilica Minore with all the rights and privileges accruing to such title.
In 1968, Sally Famarin brought the devotion to the Holy Infant Jesus to the Bay Area. Her tireless effort has brought national distinction to Americans of Filipino descent, and the Santo Nino Fiesta become a recipient of numerous Proclamations from top US government and ecclesiastical officials as one of the most beautiful celebration and a recognition of the continuing friendship and outstanding achievements of Filipino-American community. The devotion of the Santo Nino was also considered the means of inspiring the highest values in upholding sacred traditions of Philippine culture and heritage here in the Bay Area. Through the late Fr. McGee, pastor of the St. Joseph Church in San Francisco, a marble altar was constructed to enthrone the Image of the Santo Nino de Cebu inside St. Joseph Church. On January 17, 1982 a mass in honor of the Santo Nino was celebrated in thanksgiving for the passing of the US Congress Resolution in recognition of the Shrine as part of National Registry of Cultural and Historical Places. The Vatican and Pope John Paul II also sent an Apostolic Blessing, and said “by this time of writing, the Santo Nino de Cebu is the only Filipino identity that is registered in the National Registry of cultural and Historical Places in Washington D.C·. The Santo Nino in San Francisco strengthen that Image.”

In the 1987 Saint Joseph Church became one of the casualties of the strong earthquake that hit San Franciscoand consequently closed its door. In God’s divine providence the Santo Nino de Cebu found a home at St. Dominic Church. However, as devotees grow in great numbers over the years, the Santo Nino de Cebu International had searched for a new place where they can be accomodated logistically, and has been recently moved to St. Elizabeth Church. Likewise, the Santo Nino de Cebu devotees have expressed their gratitudes and appreciations to Dominic’s Church and the Dominican Friars for their decades of service to the Santo Nino De Cebu. The new home at St. Elizabeth Church under Fr. Suan will continue to serve this great devotion of the Holy Infant Jesus in the Bay Area as Sally Famarin had envisioned when she first welcome the Image of the Santo Nino from Cebu to her home in San Francisco in 1968.

History

Cebu’s holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan’s time. The church is no stranger to hardship: established in 1565 (the first church in the Philippines), three earlier structures were destroyed by fire, before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the 2013 earthquake but have been restored.

Perhaps the church owes its incendiary past to the perennial bonfire of candles in its courtyard, stoked by an endless procession of pilgrims and other worshippers. The object of their veneration is an image of the infant Jesus, sequestered in a chapel to the left of the altar. It dates back to Magellan’s time and is said to be miraculous (which it probably had to be to survive all those fires). Every year, the image is the centrepiece of Cebu’s largest annual event, the Sinulog Festival.

On Sundays and Fridays, the street outside the church is closed to vehicular traffic, all-day outdoor masses are held and the basilica turns into a sea of pilgrims, water sellers and replica Santo Niño salespeople.

The Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino (The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child in English) is a minor basilica located in Cebu City, Philippines. It was founded by the Spaniards headed by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565. It was also the same day that the Legazpi-Urdaneta expedition arrived in the island of Cebu.

Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino is the oldest Roman Catholic church established in the Philippines. It was built on the same spot where the image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, a statue depicting the Child Jesus, was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The image is the same statue given by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift over forty years after Humabon’s baptism to Christianity. he was baptized on April 14, 1521. The image was found by a soldier. It was preserved in a burnt wood box after Legazpi razed the village of hostile natives. The Holy See calls the temple the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines”.

The present building of the Sto. Nino church, which was completed in 1739-1740, has housed the oldest religious image in the country ever since.

1566 – the first church believed to be built on the site where the image of the Sto. Nino was found was destroyed by fire and was said to be built by Fr. Diego de Herrera using wood and nipa.
1605 – the construction of a new church made from wood and nipa was started headed by Fr. Pedro Torres. It was finished in 1626. Unfortunately, because of the lightness of the materials used, it was again burned in 1628.
1628 – the construction of another church was started again as directed by Fr. Juan Medina. This time, they used stones and bricks instead. The structure was found to be defective because the bricks professedly “melted” upon contact with air so the construction was stopped.
February 29, 1735 – During this time, the construction was started with a combination of efforts from Father Provincial Bergano, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio Y Ocampo of Cebu and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Sto. Nino. They started the foundation of the present church using stones. Aside from the efforts of the names mentioned, a lot of help came from other church leaders and parishioners. Every 3rd Sunday of January, the whole Cebu City celebrates the grandest celebration of the year. It is the Sinulog festival. It is a celebration in honor of the feast of the Senior Sto. Nino, the patron of Cebu. One of the highlights of this celebration is the street parade that lasts for 9 to 12 hours with participants coming from the different towns and cities of Cebu and even from other islands of the Philippines.

The Basílica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebú (Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebú) commonly known as the Santo Niño Basilica, is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in the 1565 by Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. and Fray Diego de Herrera, O.S.A.. The oldest Roman Catholic church in the country, it is built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebú was found during the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi. The icon, a statuette of the Child Jesus, is the same one presented by Ferdinand Magellan to the chief consort of Rajah Humabon upon the royal couple’s christening on April 14, 1521. It was found by a soldier named Juan de Camuz forty years later, preserved in a wooden box, after Legazpi had razed a local village.^[1] When Pope Paul VI made the church a basilica in 1965, he declared it to be “the symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines.”

The present building, which was completed from 1739-1740, has been designated by the Holy See as the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines” (Mater et Caput… Omnium Ecclesiarum Insularum Philippinarum).^[ The church of the Holy Child was founded by Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. on April 28, 1565, the day when the image of the Holy Child was found in a partially burned hut. More than a

week passed after the rediscovery of the image of Santo Niño, on May 8, 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi initiated the founding of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. On the spot of the house where the image of the Santo Niño was found, the monastery of the Holy Name of Jesus was constructed.

The first church to be built on the site where the image of the Holy Child was found was burned down on November 1, 1566. It was said to be built by Fr. Diego de Herrera using wood and nipa. Fray Pedro Torres, O.S.A. started the construction of a new church in 1605. It was finished in 1626 but was again burned in March 1628. Fray Juan Medina, O.S.A.^[5] started the construction of another church in 1628, using stone and bricks, a great innovation at that time. The construction was stopped because the structure was found to be defective.

Pilgrim center in front of the basilica

IT IS Fiesta Senyor time in Cebu City, and all the flurry of activities is centered on the holy image of the Santo Niño given centuries ago to Queen Juana by Ferdinand Magellan. The major activities, the masses and novenas used to take place inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. But according to Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the basilica, the masses and novenas for the fiesta were moved to the Santo Niño Pilgrim Center in the 1990s.

The Pilgrim Center building houses the Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu, established in 1983. Its front facade, facing the basilica, was converted into an altar where holy mass was first celebrated in September 1990. The Pilgrim Center grounds, and its bleachers to its sides, can seat around five thousand, said Fr. Mejares, but about seven thousand can be “squeezed” into that space. 

He added that when the Pilgrim Center was built, the Augustinian priests of that time foresaw that the crowds attending the novenas for the feast day of the Sto. Niño, would soon need the bigger space the Pilgrim Center provides.

These days, even that space is not really enough. For the fiesta, they have placed sound monitors outside the church grounds for those who want to follow the novena but have no more room

inside. And those who want to receive communion can also do so, with four communion stations also placed outside the church premises.

It is also providential that the Pilgrim Center is there, remarked Fr. Mejares, in the light of the 2013 earthquake which damaged the basilica and toppled its bell tower. The basilica had to be kept off limits, and all the holy masses held in the basilica were transferred to the Pilgrim Center, until Dec. 24, 2014, when the basilica finally opened its doors to churchgoers. He said morning masses are now held within the basilica from Monday to Thursday, and on Saturday. Friday and Sunday masses will still be at the Pilgrim Center.

The open air of the Pilgrim Center may not be as conducive to prayer as the insulated premises of the basilica, but there’s no stopping the devotees of the Sto. Niño from showing their love to the Holy Child. Collectively, they wrap themselves in prayerful concentration and devotion sometimes in sun and sometimes in rain. Always, always, the love and devotion is there for the Santo Niño.

The devotees kept increasing over the years and could easily fill the Basilica. To accommodate this growing number of devotees who come to hear mass in the Basilica, a pilgrim center was built within the church compound opposite of the Basilica and Holy Mass is celebrated on Fridays and other Religious Festivities are held here in the open-air, theater-like structure.

Completed in September 1990, this open-air structure can accommodate 3,500 people. The basement of the Pilgrim’s Center houses the Basilica Del Sto. Niño Museum. 

2013 Bohol earthquake

Main article: 2013 Bohol earthquake

On October 15, 2013, at approximately 8am GMT+8, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Tagbilaran, Bohol, its force felt throughout the Visayas. It caused more than 120 casualties, and much damage to buildings, historical landmarks and churches. The earthquake destroyed most of the Basilica’s belfry and façade; some walls and frescoes were cracked. A video of the collapse can be seen here. The building was soon^[when?] restored^{[citation needed]} and later re-opened to the public. The bell tower is now fully reconstructed and the main door of the church as well as the area in between the original church and the pilgrim center is now fully accessible.

within the church compound opposite of the Basilica and Holy Mass is celebrated on Fridays and other Religious Festivities are held here in the open-air, theater-like structure.

Completed in September 1990, this open-air structure can accommodate 3,500 people. The basement of the Pilgrim’s Center houses the Basilica Del Sto. Niño Museum.