Devotee believes Niño gave him back his health

CEBU, Philippines -  A man who was sick for a month and was unconscious for three days is among the inhabitants of the Sinulog Devotee City this year.

John-john "Tatay John" Orate, a carpenter, travels 56.6 kilometers to visit the image of the Santo Niño in Cebu City every year during the Sinulog. This year is no exemption.

 "Ako, bisa'g wala diri akong pamilya, tua sa laing kalibutan akong asawa nya akong anak tua sa Mindanao, layo, pero dili na rason nga dili na ko moari," Orate said.

He believes it was the Child Jesus who gave him back his health in 2013.

At that time, he was sick for a month due to fatigue and became unconscious for three days.

But a child reportedly spoke to him in a dream and told him to wake up and return to his family. The day he awoke was the eve of the Fiesta Señor. It was only later when he looked at his altar that he realized the child in his dreamed looked like the image of the Santo Niño.

Last week, he reportedly had fever and prayed to the Santo Niño, albeit in a jest, "Ayaw ko tagai'g sakit lagi kay dili ko kasayaw-sayaw nimo sa Sinulog basta imo ko tagaan og sakit."

Orate said he has now offered his life to the Holy Child.

He never blamed God when his wife passed away.

The Child Jesus for Orate is a reminder to never lose faith.

Lining up at the Basilica to wipe his handkerchief at the image already gives him strength, Orate said.

Dancing for the Child Jesus, he said, is now a form of devotion.

"Actually, sauna mag-champion gyud ko'g sayaw sa amoa. Kanang mag-Sinulog sa amoa, nag-champion na man ko sa mga hiphop nga dance, pero mas nindot siguro ang sayaw nako kung sa Sinulog nako ihalad kay mas nindot halaran ang Batang Senior," Orate said.

He has been a devotee since 1998. — Vania Mae Lim (FREEMAN)