Fiesta Señor Sto. Niño and Eucharistic Congress
Two foremost religious events will unfold before our eyes in our beloved Cebu in January-the Fiesta of Señor Sto. Niño and the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. These events are not only monumental but significant as well to us Cebuanos for we anchor our lives on strong religious belief.
Both events draw local and international crowd. For the Fiesta Señor, aside from the religious festivities, Filipinos all over the country, and the world, regard the Sinulog or street dancing as a major socio-cultural attraction. With the theme "Sinulog goes Global", we expect the arrival for those who want to experience and witness the mother of all Philippine festivals. Those who want to relive the experience and are not contented on the vicarious experience of watching on their television sets would book their flights and hotel accommodations even a year before the event.
On the other hand, normally taking place every four years, with the theme "Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory", this year's IEC from January 24-31, 2016 is also expected to draw international participants who would experience this once in a lifetime occasion. For Filipinos, especially for us Cebuanos, this is a source of pride to host since it took decades for our country to host it again. It was the 33rd IEC that our country hosted in Manila from February 3 to 7, 1937 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI. Considered as the first congress held in Asia, it was attended by approximately one and a half million people from all over the world.
In the words of Archbishop Piero Marini, a Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy, and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.
The two events, I hope, would reflect the real spirit-the spirit of oneness with our religious belief as a driving force. Of course we cannot do away with the commercial aspect that would be part of the positive effect that they would bring in to the host place. These include increased occupancy rates in our hotels, more business opportunities for our local establishments as well. Cottage industries might as well be benefitting from the transactions of these visitors while they are in our place.
For my part, for the past days, I was pulled apart by the series of shootings for our entries to the Sinulog Short Film Festival 2016 which showing will usually take place on first week of February. As part of the guidelines, all entries revolve in the common theme manifesting one's faith. The struggles of ordinary people in their daily living and their coping anchored on their faith to the miraculous Señor St. Niño, the Child Jesus. On top of this is my participation in the video film of the multi-awarded, world acclaimed, our very own pride, Garbo sa Sugbo awardee for film, Remton Siega Zuasola's opening segment for Ms. Cebu 2016 which showcases the celebration of life highlighting the roles of women from past to present.
As for the IEC, a restaging of the Mga Dula sa Pagtuo is on its way with Msgr. Agustin "Ting" Ancajas as the playwright. This time, participants from other places have the opportunity to watch the plays that manifest our unwavering faith.
Every year, we look forward to the Fiesta of Señor Sto. Niño or any religious event for that matter so we can experience the fullness of faith. Faith that would hopefully fire us up for the entire year and beyond. But within the year we also find sources of faith as we don't want that at the end of the year, we would end up used up of faith. It is rather an enduring filling in of our faith so it would remain filled with so much hope, compassion and love.
Pit Señor Sto. Niño! Viva IEC!
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