More than just candles and prayers

My assignment to write an article about Sinulog took me to a place where I recollected certain issues of my past.

I owe my childhood memories to Sr. Santo Niño. Each time I got sick, my grandmother would always place a small image of Santo Niño near my head and whispered a healing prayer. By the time I was back on my feet, mother and grandmother would take me to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño for a sinug. This goes on until my last years of grade school. From then on, I would visit the Basilica on special occasions.

Since then, I got busy with problems popping here and there, I began to search for new meanings and significant answers. I have to go back to where my heart feels comfortable… and my heart leads me back to the Basilica.

As I stepped into the portals of the Basilica, I began asking myself… what would I pray for? There were lots of things to pray for. I could not make my priority. My grandmother and my mother were very religious but never was I. I am afraid to pray. I feel silly when I pray. So, I ended up sitting on a bench near the gate, staring at the old ladies making sinug for a few people.

From a distance, an old lady with a handfull of candles captured my attention. She was not smiling but her facial expression was consoling. I stood up, approached her and asked her to help me pray. Then she asked me: "Do you intend to pray or seek refuge and find answers to your problems?" TURN TO PAGE C...

Honestly, I did not know the answer. I was not prepared for her question. All I wanted to do in the first place was to find a possible subject for my article. I could not figure out what to say to the nice old lady. Embarrassed, I started telling her a little bit of myself. Time flew very quickly; I hardly noticed myself telling her all of my disappointments in life. When I was done revealing my frustrations, she began advising me in her own sweet way.

"I'm Francisca dela Gente and I have been praying for people for over 27 years. Your problems and yearning for a comfortable life are no different from the others. Every now and then, you should consciously put God at the center of your life. Ask for His guidance and keep strong in your faith," she said.

I asked her if she ever got tired of praying for people like me who are not very religious and quite arrogant in terms of praying. I was astounded with her reply: "You cannot deny people's request, especially praying in their behalf. Praying for them does not necessarily mean they don't know how to pray. It's a matter being supportive and praying for the betterment of people who believe in God. Perhaps, they don't have the time and that's why we are here. I pray for my family. Is there a difference when you pray for others? Ever since my husband died, I devoted myself to the Santo Niño and offer prayers for those who need Divine assistance and I can say it's amazing because some of them came back, thanking me because their prayers had been answered." She's right, praying for somebody is not bad. I could not deny anybody either if they would ask me to pray for them, for their safety or whatever they are hoping for.

"It is a great honor to offer prayers for other people. It makes me feel good to know that I have helped them in small ways," Nanay Francisca added.

As I was about to end our conversation, I was touched by her sweet gesture of offering me a treat of puto at her favorite dining place. But I refused her invitation - as she had already enlightened my thoughts with her wisdom.

Sinulog is not just about the parade and festivity. Sinulog is all about offering praises and prayers for our dear Santo Niño Who has kept Cebuanos and all of His faithful believers around the world in good hands. Viva Santo Niño!