11,000 witness “Hubo” at Basilica

CEBU, Philippines - Unmindful of the cold that permeated the air since the start of the nine-day Novena masses for the Santo Niño, an estimated 11,000 devotees flocked to the Basilica dawn yesterday for the annual “Hubo.”

The event, which includes a mass and the symbolic undressing and changing of the image of the Child Jesus, concluded the religious celebration of the Sinulog.

Here, the image of the Holy Child is undressed with his intricate vestments into simpler clothing.

“Ang pag-ilis sa Diyos gikan sa iyang mahalon nga sinina hangtod sa simpleng bistida nagpasabot nga siya nagpakataw alang sa katawhan (God’s act of changing into simpler garment from his expensive clothes represents his act of being one of us),” said Fr. Jonas Mejares, the main celebrant of the mass.

He said it’s also meant to remind people of the sacrifice Jesus took to save his people from sin.

“Ang misa niining sayong kabuntagon naghatag kanato og timailhan nga we are facing the final curtain of our celebration. Siguro nakamatikod mo nga ang kapistahan sa batang balaan tinuig ra man ang kasaulogan, apan mga bus, barko, ug eroplano matag Enero puno og pasahero. Mga deboto mobisita ug mopunsisok gyud sa Basilica bisan pag magkinaunsa! Matud pa sa uban, milagroso gyud ang Sto. Niño kay kamao mohigup og panon sa tawo! (Our mass this early morning signifies we are facing the final curtain of our celebration. Maybe you have observed that the feast for the Child Jesus is just once a year, but buses, ships and planes are all full this time of the year. Devotees make it a point to visit the Basilica no matter what happens. As others would say, the Santo Niño knows how to draw crowds),” Mejares said.

Known for his unique approaches in celebrating a mass, Mejares sang Frank Sinatra’s popular ballad “My Way” during the homily, paying tribute to Rose Fostanes, the Filipina who became the winner of the first X Factor Israel. Fostanes has chosen the song for her final performance in the competition.

Mejares said that just like Fostanes’ success, it must be remembered that blessings don’t just fall on anyone’s lap. A big part of it is made possible by hard work.

“Atong hinumduman nga gagmay man o dagkong milagro, kinahanglan ubanan kini og kugi ug dakong pagtuo (We have to remember that whether small or big, miracles have to be accompanied by hard work and strong faith),” he said.

He then capped his homily with another popular song, “This is the Moment,” which he said should signify the time when people must put their faith to the Santo Niño and avoid evil deeds.

During the symbolic undressing that followed, the crown on the image was removed first followed by the removal of the scepter and orb. The cape was removed last.

The image was then rinsed and wiped dry after before dressed with simpler clothes.

Miracles

A devotee, Carmelita Alforque, 52, shared that her daughter had dreamt of the Santo Niño going down the altar.

“Sa damgo sa akong anak, ninaog siya ug nilakaw padulong sa bag-ong butanganan sa Sto. Niño nga dala sa akong bana gikan sa gawas (In my daughter’s dream, the Santo Niño went down his pedestal and walked to a new pedestal that my husband has brought from abroad),” Alforque said.

She added her family believes the dream was a miracle and an instrument to remind them of the “Hubo” Mass.

Another devotee, Maria Tecson, 51, said she made it a point to finish the nine-day Novena because of a petition for the Santo Niño to treat her husband.

“Naa raman gyod na sa imong pag-ampo ug pagsalig. Kon kinasing-kasing ang imong pagpangayo ug pagsangpit kaniya, ihatag man gyod niya (It all depends on your prayers and your faith. If you call his name with your heart, he will grant your prayers),” she said.

Yesterday’s attendees still filled the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica but Waterfront Police head Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu observed the number was smaller than the estimated 35,000 that joined the first Novena mass.

The crowd during the penitential Walk with Jesus that preceeded the first Novena was estimated at 45,000. – Jessa A. Agua and Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/USJ-R MassComm Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)