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WHEN the gates of the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center opened at dawn yesterday, a throng of devotees rushed in for the best spot from where to watch the traditional ‘Hubo’ mass, or the changing of the Sto. Niño’s garments.

In his homily, Fr. Ian-Narcissus Openia described it as a blessing from God that the devotees gathered at the Pilgrim Center at an hour when they were supposed to be still in bed. The mass was at 4 a.m.

“Do we even understand why we are all here?” he asked the devotees.

“We are all called by the blessings of God to be here. It is a blessing that all of us are here gathered together,” said Openia.

He urged the crowd to understand the event by understanding others.

Miracles

“Listen to the hearts of those who around you, and not your minds. You will then understand what has drawn us all here,” he said. “Our love for the Señor Sto. Niño is because of the many miracles that He has performed in our lives.”

But while it’s the Sto. Niño who creates miracles, the people should work hard to make miracles happen, he said.

“We should not always wait for the miracles, but instead we should be the ones who do the miracles,” said Openia.

After the homily, the crowd observed silently as Fr. Openia started removing the clothes of Sto. Niño. Then the crowd cheered when priests bathed the Child’s image.

The priest then dressed the image with garments less ornate than the ones used during the whole Sinulog celebration.

The cheers grew louder as the icon was raised for all to see.

The changing of the image’s clothes symbolizes the need for people to shed their old ways, explained Openia.

“Hubuan nato ang atong kaugalingon sa tagsa-tagsa nato mga pamatasan nga atong na-andan (Let’s get rid of the sinful ways that we’ve grown accustomed to),” said Openia.

The religious rite started to be performed in public only in 1992. Before that, the rite was done inside the church rectory, with only a few people allowed to get in.

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Hubo photos below.

Change and the Child. Fr. Ian-Narcissus Openia (left, all fotos) replaces the Señor Sto. Niño’s ornate clothes, worn during the previous days’ novena, with simpler garments. The Basilica del Sto. Niño’s website explains that the ritual, which includes a bath, signifies cleansing, renewal and child-like trust in Divine Providence. (Arni Aclao)

Contestants include Avila Fireworks of Lapu-Lapu City, Wow Fireworks from Bohol, St.Michael’s Fireworks from Bulacan, Six J Fireworks from Manila, Digitrate Fireworks from Oroquita City, and DSS Fireworks from Dumaguete City.

(Click on the thumbnails to see larger image)

Judges of the contests were Douglas Nierras, the Artistic Director of The Powerdance; Gener Caringal, artistic director of the UE Dance Troupe and the Philippine Ballet Theater; Shirley Halili Cruz, head of the National Committee of Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; and Josefina Guillen, the President of the Folk Dance Society. The six competitors were judged according to beauty, style, timing, and audience impact.

The DSS Fireworks from Dumaguete City bagged the 1st prize of the 1st Sinulog Fireworks Competition with a prize of P80,000, while Wow Fireworks from Bohol placed second and took home P50,000.

The Lupon Anduyo, bringing along live percussions, served as drum beaters during the duration of the fireworks competition.

The event was supported by Sinulog Foundation Inc. Dolly Suzara, Project Director of Sinulog Foundation, thanked SM City Cebu for organizing and sponsoring such event, which was a big success and one of the highlights of the Sinulog celebration. (PR)

My friends really enjoyed Sinulog. The long walks and the many faces of the festivity. I would like to share these photos to all and thank you Sun.Star for providing the space.

Refreshingly Orange Sinulog dancers taking a rest at one of the stops	Grade School Dancer cooling herself off with a fan and a smile
Like the patron saint, he is very innocent, curious and looking good with his Sto. Nino costume	Another Float Beauty, Gluta Soap Model
Jasper Jugan, Technical  Account Manager – Microsoft Philippines, blending in with his sky blue shirt at his back are dances from local fraternity, Alpha Kappa Rho.	Jojo Ayson, Senior Technology Specialist - Microsoft Philippines, enjoying the long hike and the Sinulog crowd

Wishing you the best and see you next Sinulog

George Roland

Buyogan choreographer Victor Cuenco said that when he was told the contingent will use bees as part of the concept, he got so excited with the possibilities he spent many nights without sleep just to come up with a production.

He said he had insomnia but he did not mind because he liked the idea of a contingent with bees.

Cuenco choreographed the Abuyog, Leyte contingent in the Aliwan Festival in Pasay City last year, but last Sunday was the first time in 12 years that Abuyog joined the Sinulog.

Buyogan’s presentation started with dancers as “bees” in a beehive that two boys hit with a slingshot.

The bees went after the boys, one of whom got stung several times and was lying unconscious and twitching on the ground before he was healed through the intercession of the Holy Child. (more)

Overall, however, police officials considered their task of securing the Sinulog a success, and awards and commendations for the concerned personnel are forthcoming.

But to further improve the handling of the Sinulog grand parade next year, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos said he will suggest to the organizers to incorporate crowd control into the security aspect.

Last Sunday, the police and military were divided into three separate clusters: security, peace and order and crowd control. (more)