CEBU, Philippines - The Sto. Niño is known to touch lives, heal the sick and convert the unbelievers, among others.
The Holy Child has such a great impact in the lives of many that His devotees have grown in numbers throughout the years.
Among the many who have devoted their lives to the Sto. Niño are Jose “Dodong” and wife Nena Gullas.
”I always put it in my heart. Every waking moment, I dedicate it to Sto. Niño. He is there for us to be saved. You can’t tell your future. At any time, the Lord will knock at your door,” said Dodong, the youngest son of Don Vicente and Josefina Gullas and the chairman of The Freeman and the Executive Vice President of the University of the Visayas.
A devotee since he was a child, he always prays to the Sto. Niño for intercession and guidance, especially in his endeavors.
Dodong took it upon himself to continue the service of his grandparents and parents to the Basilica del Sto. Niño.
“Our closeness with the church was established by my grandparents, Lolo Juan and Lola Andrea,” he said.
Among the benefactors of the Basilica, his Lolo Juan donated Santo Cristo de Limpia image, which was bought in Spain, to the church. Dodong added that the Augustinian priests who run the Basilica also informed him that it was his Lola Andrea who donated the image of the Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Gullas family’s contribution to the Basilica was greatly appreciated by the Augustinian community that Dodong’s mother, Josefina “Inday Pining” Rivera Gullas was given an award.
“I am not really sure but I think she was the only one that was given that honor by the Augustinian fathers,” he said.
Dodong, too, has done his share to help the Basilica, and was instrumental in the creation of the Basilica museum.
Even as children, he and his brother, former congressman and University of Visayas president Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas, were members of the acolytes in the Basilica.
Dodong said that although his parents and grandparents were his role models when it comes to his faith, he emphasized that he was never forced to be so. He was given the freedom to choose and he chose to devote time and effort to serve the Sto. Niño.
“I faced a lot of challenges in my lifetime and during all those times, He has always helped me,” he said.
His service to the Basilica made Dodong aware of the many miracles of the Sto. Niño. A deaf-mute from Mindanao who was able to speak the moment he stepped into the Basilica grounds, a fish that got stuck in the vestments of the Holy Child, which was believed to be the results of the Sto. Niño’s many reported wanderings.
Dodong, himself, experienced a miracle which he attributes to the Sto. Niño. He and his wife were on their way home to their place in mountains one late, rainy evening when a landslide happened, covering almost half of the road. Their vehicle started to slip and almost fell off a cliff.
“Our driver had difficulty maneuvering the vehicle. I prayed to the Sto. Niño and the driver managed to take us out of harm’s way,” he recalled. “With all the miracles in my life, I am very grateful. I have reached 80 years with the guidance of the Sto. Niño,” he added.
He is also thankful that he was able to meet Nena, his second wife, who shares his devotion to the Holy Child.
In 2010, the Gullas couple were the Recently, he paired with Nena in 2010 as Hermano and Hermana.
For her part, Nena believes that the Sto. Niño brought them together.
Nena, the president of the Cofradia de la Virgen de Lourdes, one of the mandated organizations under the Basilica, said she grew up being close to the church.
“Since I was a kid, my lola would always bring me to church. In our family, we are very devoted,” she said.
Nena said that with all the challenges she and Dodong have experienced together and the miracles they have experienced, they have realized that they have a mission together, and that is to serve the Sto. Niño.
She said that just like all the other devotees, she finds strength in the Holy Child whenever they are faced with challenges.
“We turn to Him. He knows what is in our hearts. He knows the good intentions in your heart,” she said. (FREEMAN)