Sto. Niño devotees endure long walk to show faith

CEBU, Philippines - Showing their strong faith in the Santo Niño, thousands of devotees walked over two kilometers to take part in yesterday's dawn procession, which ushered this month's Sinulog activities.

It marked the opening of the 452nd fiesta celebration in honor of the Santo Niño, and was the first day of the nine-day novena Mass leading to the feast day on January 15.

Among those who joined the procession was Ofelia Dasoc, who used to take part in the yearly penitential procession Walk with Jesus until diabetes complications left her without a leg.

That did not stop the 53-year-old mother, however, from still joining the procession even after doctors amputated her left leg in 2013.

She said that she has devoted her life to the Holy Child since the 1980s and even until she got married and was blessed with three kids. This devotion has always fueled her to participate in the fiesta activities.

This time, however, she has a wish-to walk again using an artificial foot and be given a longer life she could spend with her children.

She was one of the thousands who assembled at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda as early as 4 a.m. yesterday. As was the scene the past years, many carried their own images of the Holy Child, including those in different garments.

There were also those who brought rosaries and lighted candles.

And when the procession arrived at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, it was greeted by huge crowd.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, said no untoward incident was reported during the activity, with the crowd estimated to be around 40,000, or more than double the estimated 20,000 who joined the procession.

Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor on peace and order matters of the city, though, said the number of people reached 270,000.

During the Mass that followed the procession, Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr., the newly-appointed prior and rector of the basilica, said the penitential walk was a good start for the devotees in making their individual sacrifices and in thanking the Holy Child for the blessings.

He also highlighted in his 11-minute homily, the importance of helping the vulnerable sector, particularly the street children, and abused and abandoned children.

He challenged the faithful to not only venerate the image of the Santo Niño but, more importantly, to also demonstrate their love by taking care of or attending to the needs of the children whose faces reflect that of the Child Jesus. (FREEMAN)