Thursday, January 15, 2009 Miraculous works By Noemi C. Fetalvero Two empty bottles
IN the 1980s, when I was covering what appeared to be a standoff between the government forces and the Honasan rebels (they were strategically positioned on both ends of the Mactan Bridge), I was amazed with the unfolding events. The military forces were leaving their strategic post when a soldier said that a little boy appeared before them and asked: “Are you fighting?” then quipped, “You are brothers.”
The baffled soldiers said that the little boy came from the center of the bridge cleared earlier before they positioned themselves for the supposed encounter.
Could it have been the Sto. Nino since He works in miraculous ways that appeared on that bridge in a very opportune time when Divine intervention was needed? Not a drop of blood was shed that day. Thank heavens!
As a field reporter for GMA 7, I was asked to produce a documentary on the Sto. Nino de Cebu. As a result of my research, three legends came about.
It was said that the Senor Sto. Nino was fished out by a fisherman. The appearance of our patron resembled that of driftwood.
Another legend referred to the aftermath of a church conflagration. At the bottom of one of the charred pillars was a carved figure of the Sto. Nino.
The two legends tend to explain why the Sto. Nino is dark skinned.
The third tale which was later authenticated was about a sailor in Legaspi’s fleet who found in one of the modest houses of the then village of Cebu the Sto. Nino contained in a small pine box. An official inquiry was conducted after its discovery on April 28, 1565.
According to the archives of the Basiica Minore del Sto. Nino, our patron came from Europe.
As a student of Colegio del Sto. Nino, I was introduced to our patron at an early age. Every Friday, the Augustinian fathers saw to it that every student attended the novena and mass held in honor of our dear Sto. Nino. Hundreds of devotees venerate the patron of Cebu for varied reasons.
Apparently, there are more testimonies of miraculous healings and favors granted as the city of Cebu experiences the influx of believers who come to observe the annual festivity. Pit Senor!
