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Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Serna: Cebu as Asia's mardi gras capital
By Roger Serna
Sounds and images
It sure was an exhausting and physically draining week but it was also enriching, inspiring, exciting, fun-filled and everything nice and beautiful. Of course there were some hassles and flaws but the positive things surely outweighed the negative.
Let’s just bury the negative things in the deepest recesses of our memory but before that, let’s try to learn from those defects so we can minimize, or better still, avoid repeating them.
Each outing should have marked improvements from the past ones and learning from mistakes is the only way for this to materialize. Some people noticed that there was a dearth of showbiz celebrities but they’re not what the Sinulog is all about, right?
With or without them, the Sinulog will still be what it is for the real celebrity, the real star of the show is the Holy Child himself. Once again, Pit Senyor!
ab
The city practically vibrated, pulsated and throbbed with life, fun and excitement since the first day of the nine-day novena. Socio-cultural activities held at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda, and different shows with their own respective promos and gimmicks put up by corporate sponsors in different entertainment spots in the city served as signals of the height of excitement that the festivity day itself has in store for all Cebuanos and those from other places.
In the culminating activity of the Sinulog grand parade, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon mentioned something about making Cebu the “Mardi Gras capital of Asia.” How he is going to make that pronouncement come true is something worth watching.
Let’s just hope that he’s not after some pogi points or something, and that he’ll really work for the realization of that plan. Onward to Sinulog 2005!
ab
Yours truly felt fortunate for having attended the Sunday mass at the Basilica Minorè del Sto. Niño officiated by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on the feast of the Holy Child itself. It’s not a constant occurrence as far as this columnist is concerned.
I wholly agree with the Cardinal that it is only the Sto. Niño who can unite the Cebuanos who are “factionized” and divided by many factors especially during this time of the year when the elections are fast approaching.
The Cardinal also mentioned that the chant “Pit Senyor, kang Nanay kini…” and so on and so forth highlights the devotees’ selflessness and concern for other people. It shows that the devotion to the Holy Child (including dancing the sinulog under the scorching heat of the sun and being exposed to the other elements) is not solely for oneself but for others as well.
Take a bow, Sto. Niño believers and devotees.
ab
Let me share with you an incident that irked yours truly. In one of my mall visits during the Sinulog week, I met this old friend who has recently turned Born Again.
When I told him that one of the reasons of my mall visit that day was to watch the exhibit of Sto. Niño icons and images at the Ayala Center, he gestured his hands as if to exorcise me of evil spirits while saying: “Huh, in Jesus’ name…”
He then proceeded to say: “It would be more productive for you if you watch Bridal Shower.” How dare he equate watching a movie with an act that has something to do with my faith!
Though visibly irked, I tried to restrain myself, but later let go of my fury by texting him. My message went this way: “I was offended by your actuation earlier. You can proceed with what you want to do with your faith just as I will what I please with mine. But never make me feel that what I’m doing is wrong.
“Anyway, we have our own respective souls to save and take care of and nobody can claim any monopoly to salvation.” Admittedly, I lost my poise that night. Sad.
ab
Congratulations to Marnelli Abatayo for winning the coveted Miss Cebu 2004 title. Likewise to Golda May Gabriel, Rica Marie Menchavez, Guia Estrella Chua and Ma. Carmelli Canoy, the ladies of the court of Queen Marnelli.
Miss Cebu Tourism ’99 Menchu Antigua and Miss Cebu 2001 Melanie Ediza did the Cebuanos (and the Cebu City Tourism Commission, the pageant organizers) proud by doing a good hosting job at the pageant night.
They were really beauty, charm and brains personified that night. Congratulations!
(January 20, 2004 issue)
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