Legends of the Sto. Niño de Cebu (Part 8)

Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada originally wrote this in Cebuano, it was translated into English by Martin Abellana. It was published in 1965. It was Consuelo Enriquez-Uy, a descendant of the Dela Calzada, who donated copies of the book to the Cebu City Library.

Numerous entries on the legends of the Sto. Niño de Cebu are contained in the book. CEBUpedia is running a series of selected stories in the book, with the hope that the Cebu City government, in coordination with the family of Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada, will reproduce the book so it can be distributed to the public schools in Cebu City.

(Note: This story was culled from “Anotaciones de Fidel Moas y Mati.” This was written in longhand in a notebook by Fidel. The compiler’s father, Don Raimundo Enriquez de Bracamonte, was a close friend of Fidel, hence his easy access to the library of the latter. Fidel Moas had lived in Cebu for quite a long time. He had a bookstore in Parian, Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines).

“THE SOLDIER WITH A BROKEN TONGUE

“In the year 1850, there was assigned at Fort San Pedro in Cebu an artillery regiment. One of the soldiers belonging to this regiment in later years was a fellow named Victoriano Fanlu y Mambru. Victoriano was young, handsome, with fair complexion and of average height. His muscular build and military bearing added much to his already pleasant appearance. He was humble, obedient and respectful not only to his officers but also his fellow soldiers. Like everybody else, had also defects and shortcomings. For one thing, he was uneducated and worst, he had a broken tongue. Whenever he talked he could hardly be understood. Nonetheless due to his faithful service he was promoted to first class private.

“Another thing noted about Victoriano was that he regularly went to the church, daily said his prayers and in his humility he never harbored ill-feelings even against those who made fun of him.

“Now on Holy Thursday in the year 1890, a squad of soldiers was assigned to guard the whole Fort San Pedro. Victoriano, first class private, was one of the soldiers. The soldiers were made to guard the fort from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. All soldiers of the regiment, except this squad on duty, did their religious duty, the traditional visita iglesia which was and still is, always done on Holy Thursday.” (To be continued)