Cebu revisits first baptism on historic 500 years of Christianity

CEBU, Philippines — Today, April 14, 2021, will mark a milestone in the history of Cebu and the Philippines as Cebu revisits a major event in history that paved the way for Filipinos to embrace Christianity some 500 years ago.

The very first baptism, which saw local chieftain Rajah Humabon getting baptized as Carlos, will be re-enacted at 2 p.m. today. The re-enactment will take place in front of the kiosk that houses the Magellan’s Cross, the cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers by orders of Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in the Philippines in 1521.

The Magellan’s Cross stands at Plaza Sugbo, which is located right beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City.

The baptism on April 14, 1521 was officiated by Fr. Pedro de Valderrama, chaplain of the Magellan-Elcano expedition.

A Pontifical Mass in commemoration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines will follow the re-enactment.

It will be celebrated by American Archbishop Charles Brown, the nuncio to the Philippines.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said yesterday that several bishops are already in Cebu to attend the Mass and Renewal of Baptismal Promises, and Baptism of Children today.

After the Pontifical Mass, the National Museum of the Philippines will declare the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño as National Cultural Treasure (NCT). The ceremony will be held at the Pilgrim Center at the Basilica.

After the ceremony, a blessing of the image of the Santo Niño and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Museum will follow.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has proclaimed today as a non-working holiday for Cebu City so Cebuanos can celebrate this piece of history.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Cebu be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing and other public health measures,” reads Proclamation 1130 Malacañang issued on Monday, April 12.

Faith to the child Jesus is a major aspect in the lives of many Cebuanos and Filipinos – the anchor to the annual Sinulog Festival, which has drawn millions of devotees from around the world to Cebu and the Basilica year after year every January, at least prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Limited audience

And while today is an opportunity for Cebuanos to take part in the celebration, authorities have limited the audience at the Plaza Sugbo to 700, precisely because of the pandemic. Health protocols will be observed strictly.

Councilor Philip Zafra, chairperson of the committee on peace and order at the Cebu City Council, urged residents to stay home and watch the reenactment and Mass online.

“Among panawagan nga di na lang gyud sila muadto because unlike the Sinulog, sa Fiesta Señor, karon, wala gyuy widescreen, wala sad siyay ingon nga sound system nga atong ipalibot, so by invitation ra gyud ang makatambong sa re-enactment, sa baptism, ug sa misa,” Zafra to The Freeman.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will also enforce a “No Parking Zone” in areas near the Basilica and City Hall precisely to avoid people from getting tempted to go near the areas to witness the events.

“Ang vicinity sa Basilica Minore del Santo Nino ug City Hall mahimo’g ‘NO PARKING ZONE’. Ang mga sakyanan nga dili mo tuman, mahimong i-clamp or i-tow namo,” CCTO said in an advisory.

“Ang mga partisipante ug bisita lang nga adunay car pass ug imbitasyon ang gitugotan. Wala’y ID. Wala’y Entry,” the advisory reads further.

Raquel Arce, head of the city’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team, also said that the estimated 100 vendors, including candle vendors, will not be allowed to sell outside the Basilica today to ensure there will be no overcrowding in the area.

Arce warned that vendors who will not follow the directive will lose their privilege to sell in their areas on regular days. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Mary Ruth R. Malinao, Rowena D. Capistrano, JMO (FREEMAN)