Child at the fort

Monday, January 16, 2012

THERE have been exhibits of Sto. Niño statues in various malls and museums, but this year, for the first time, such an exhibit is being held at Fort San Pedro. It is also the fort’s first Sto. Niño exhibit held in a room that was once used, in Spanish times, as the lieutenant’s quarters (the room is called Viviende de Teniente). When the fort was under the Philippine Tourism Authority, the room housed the National Museum’s display of the wreck of the galleon San Diego, which has been transferred to the Museo Sugbo.

For Dr. Clodoveo Nacorda, the curator and owner of most of the statues, it is a “lean” exhibit as there are only 30 statues on display, and four paintings. But he has neatly curated them into four sections that give the viewer a feel of the Christ Child in the hearts of His devotees that has resulted in the various Niño images on display: it seems devotees want Him to be one with and of them and thus make Him like them.

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The first section is the Holy Child in Our Homes, which shows the “Christmas” Niño, that is, lying down, perhaps asleep. Next is the Holy Child in Our Cities (and other places). The statues here include the Sto. Niño de Tacloban, de Remedios (of Malate), de Praga, de Pasion (of Makati), de Malolos, de Tondo, and de Cebu. Recent titles of the Sto. Niño that can also be seen in this section are the Sto. Niños of Talamban (three years old) and Odlot (one year old), courtesy of their parish priests, Msgr. Carlito Pono and Fr. Romeo Desuyo.

The third section is The Holy Child in Our Occupations. Here is where you find the Sto. Niño de la Naval, de Palaboy, de Desamparados, de Pescadores, de Uvas, de Pastores and de Sabiduria (the Sto. Niño of Knowledge, holding a book; it’s a Niño ideal for students). The last section is especially for the Sto. Niño de Cebu, as the whole exhibit is really in His honor.

The four paintings are those of the Sto. Niño de las Flores, de Atocha, de Aracoeli, and de Capitan General.

It is truly a well-ordered exhibit made more pleasant and beautiful by the “landscaping” done by Dr. Ado Macaraya, Parks and Playground Commission chairman. The exhibit had a simple opening last Friday with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama cutting the ceremonial ribbon and Msgr. Pono blessing the icons on display and all the Niño devotees present for the event.  

It is open to viewers during the fort’s visiting hours until Feb. 4, giving devotees ample time to see it and take delight in the various ways we look at and adore the Sto. Niño. Viva Pit Señor!