CEBU, Philippines — Music of praise, mini flags, and confetti greeted the pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu as it arrived yesterday at the Cebu City Medical Center.
The CCMC visit, according to Councilor David Tumulak, is part of Sto. Niño’s journey to hospitals and jails in Cebu City leading to the celebration of the Fiesta Señor in January.
Tumulak said the initiative of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and the Cebu City government hopes to bring hope to people suffering from illnesses and inmates who may have already lost hope in life.
“[Para] katong mga masakiton, pamilya sa masakiton, dunay kahigayunan nga makahatag og pag-ampo. Lakip na ang mga doktor nga motambal sa mga pasyente, kinahanglan nga naa sad si Sto. Niño mogiya nila para himoon silang instrumento nga makaayo sa mga sakit sa mga pasyente,” Tumulak said.
The image of the Holy Child first visited the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) on Sunday afternoon, and stayed there for two nights before it was brought to the CCMC yesterday for its second stop.
CCMC hospital administrator Kenneth Siasar said the hospital is blessed to have been given the opportunity to be visited by the “miraculous” image.
“We need spiritual help, we need intervention from Sto. Niño kay ang mga pasyente critical kaayo. Wa’y gamit ang tambal kung wala ang intercession sa Sto. Niño. It’s a welcome development nga nisud sa CCMC ang Sto. Niño. We need miracles,” Siasar said.
The holy image was first brought to the Santa Filomena Chapel of the CCMC for the holy Mass, and then placed in front of the hospital so patients and staff coming in and out may see it.
A vigil will be held while the holy image is in the hospital.
The image will also be taken to all the wards of CCMC, including medical, surgical, intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric wards, and the emergency rooms.
Siasar said about 130 patients are confined at the facility.
He said he hopes the image of the Sto. Niño would visit CCMC again next year.
Tumulak, for his part, said he will submit a request to the officials of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to allow the image of the Holy Child to visit hospitals and jails every year.
The holy image will remain at CCMC until noontime on Thursday, when it will be returned to the basilica.
It will then visit the Cebu City Jail and Operation Second Chance, the facility for minors in conflict with the law, in January of next year.
“Hasta pod na sa mga jails nato, nga atong mga piniriso bisan makasasa sila, naa sila’y kahigayunan gihapon nga makaampo,” Tumulak said of the reason why the image will be taken to the jail facilities. (FREEMAN)