BEATRIZ ROBLE couldn’t help but shout, “Viva, Pit Senyor!”
This happened after she learned that one of the boats owned by Roble Shipping Inc. (RSI) would carry the images of the Sto. Niño and the Lady of Guadalupe during the seaborne procession on Saturday morning, Jan. 19.
The 71-year-old Roble clan matriarch, who was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer on Dec. 5, 2017, was overjoyed that RSI had been selected.
Despite her ordeal, Beatriz’s son Jose Emery “Joy” Roble said they did not abandon their devotion to the Holy Child.
From 1994 until 1997, he said their company also faced troubles so that they almost declared bankruptcy. RSI survived and it is still thriving.
Jose Emery, RSI’s president and chief executive officer, said a person’s strong faith can erase the pain.
“Madungog ra gyud na ang inyong mga pag-ampo (Your prayers will be heard),” he said.
The family’s devotion to the Holy Child started with Jose Emery’s grandparents.
In later years, Jose Emery’s parents were chosen as hermano and hermana mayores during the Fiesta Señor. His uncle and aunt were also selected as hermano and herman mayores, as well as his brother Jay and sister-in-law Elvina.
Jose Emery said they have been praying for more than 30 years that one of their ships would be selected as the Spanish galleon replica that would carry the religious images.
He said the selection of RSI in this year’s seaborne procession is a fulfillment of the family’s prayers. (from SCG of SuperBalita Cebu/KAL)