Sto. Niño is "Most Esteemed"

CEBU, Philippines - On the 446th anniversary celebration of the discovery of the image of the Sto. Niño or "Kaplag," the Philippine Navy on April 28 will bestow on the Holy Child the title "Celentisimo Capitan General de las Esfuerzas Españolas en Filipinas," or the Most Esteemed Captain General of the Spanish Forces in the Philippines.

Based on history, the icon of the Sto. Niño was discovered on April 28, 1565 by Juan Camus, a soldier of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, inside a nipa hut in Cebu, the same spot where the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño now stands.

The icon is believed to be a gift from Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana 44 years before it was discovered in that shack.

According to Fr. Tito Soquino of the Basilica, on Thursday (April 28), the Kaplag will be commemorated with the usual Mass (6 a.m.) and re-enactment, plus the highlight which is the naval honors for the Santo Niño in recognition of his rank as the Most Esteemed Captain General of the Spanish Forces in the Philippines.

After the Holy Mass at the Basilica, the Santo Niño will be fetched by naval officers from the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) and in a solemn El Camino del Capitan General march, the holy image will be brought to the Malacañang sa Sugbo where a naval vessel will be waiting.

From the Malacañang sa Sugbo, naval and coast guard vessels will render passing military honors to the Capitan General as He makes His way to Naval Base Rafael Ramos pier through the Cebu Channel.

Maritime tradition requires all vessels to dip their flags as a sign of respect.

Blowing of horns and gun salutes will also be part of the rites.

According to Soquino, this tradition of giving military honors to the Señor Santo Niño as Capitan General as celebrated by Spanish forces in the Philippines is likened to the Our Lady of La Naval fluvial parade until the turn of the century.

The La Naval is still being celebrated by the Navy.

This will also be the first time that the coat-of-arms of the Celentisimo Capitan General de las Esfuerzas Españolas en Filipinas will be flown by a Philippine Navy ship, he added.

Also, another foot procession to the Navy Chapel from Naval Base Rafael Ramos pier inside the Navy compound in Mactan at 9 a.m. of that day.

The event will be followed by a Holy Mass in honor of the Capitan-General to be officiated by the Military Ordinary, His Excellency, Leopoldo S. Tumulak, D.D. concelebrated by Augustinian Friars and Military Chaplains inside the Base for all seafarers and protectors of the sea.

A public veneration will be allowed at the Navy Chapel from 10am to 3 p.m.

After which the Navy will bring back the Capitan General to the Basilica via Cebu Channel.

The Santo Niño is expected to arrive at the Malacañang sa Sugbo pier shortly after 4 p.m.

A festive welcome led by the Basilica Sinulog dancers will greet the Santo Niño as it heads back to the Basilica. This is called the Tornaviaje del Santo Niño.

The Kaplag Mass at 5:30 p.m. will follow as the Santo Niño arrives in the Basilica.

After the mass, the re-enactment of the Kaplag will be interpreted by the San Diego dancers at the Pilgrim Center grounds.

Soquino explained that the sobriquet Capitan General of the Señor Santo Niño is highlighted in this year's Kaplag Festival by the Augustinians to remind the public that as Capitan General the Señor Santo Niño serves as a protector of all seafarers, mariners and the patron of maritime environment and ecology.

Soquino said they will also formally launch on that day this year's Duaw Santo Niño where the Santo Niño will be going to the islands and coastal municipalities to promote maritime security, safety and protection of environment.

Soquino is president of the Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. (Seaknights), an environmental group of scuba divers.