CEBU, Philippines - Creating this year’s Kaplag Grand re-enactment marks the 450th year of Catholicism in the country. The beloved Santo Niño de Cebu is the oldest symbol of these four centuries of faith in the Philippines.
This year, a clear directive from the Executive Committee of 450 Kaplag and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) was to inject as much historical reality into the pageant.
We have done this by utilizing the historical accounts of Pigaffeta, Urdaneta, and Legazpi as “voices” that will annotate the proceedings. These “voices” are incorporated into a musical score created by the very talented composer, Krina Cayabyab. By incorporating these accounts as the narrative of the performance, we hope to both broaden and deepen the nation’s understanding of the significance of the icon.
We also hope to trace the history of the icon, tracing its roots from the various European images of the Holy Child from the 15th century. It was animage in the Flemish style that was brought by Magellan to the Philippines and given as gift to Humabon’s wife, Reyna Juana. It was this image that was “re-discovered” by Juan de Camus nearly 45 years later. It is this image, now transformed according to a uniquely folk sensibility, that we know today as the Santo Niño de Cebu.
Focus will also be given on the Sinuog, the traditional performed prayer from which today’s glitzy Sinulog can trace its roots. The archaic elements of the sinuog – like the alabasyon or opening prayer performed by a child before the statue of the Niño – will be highlighted in the performance.
The grand re-enactment will be on April 27, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Provincial Government of Cebu and in collaboration with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the entire re-enactment will take place in three sites. On pier 1, a 15th century pre-hispanic coastal village will be recreated. At the junction of Cuenco Street, the focus will be on the meeting of Rajah Humabon and Magellan.
In front of the City Hall, the erection of the cross will be re-enacted. In the same area, a stylized version of Humabon’s palace will be the site of Juana’s conversion as well as the gifting of the Niño.
The Pilgrim Center in front of the Basilica Minore will be the site of the Santo Niño’s re-discovery. A grand Ecclesiastical procession then emerges from the Basilica which will culminate in a High Mass.Fireworks and a Flash Mob of young devotees will cap the evening.
The re-enactment will feature the performers of the San Diego Dance Troupe and their artistic director, Val San Diego, as well as the Sinuog Sugbu Troupe, headed by Carolina Diola. Also participating is a cast of all-Cebuano talents, including students from selected schools.
Aside from the grand re-enactment, a fluvial procession will be separately held at 6:00 in the morning on the 27th of April.
* Quintos is a journalist, director and playwright. He is a 5-time recipient of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, a 2-time recipient of the Philippine Theater Guild’s Gawad Buhay award, a former fellow of the UP Creative Writing Center. (FREEMAN)