Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — Despite the surging COVID-19 infections in the country, devotees of the Sto. Nino still found ways to celebrate their patron’s feast.
In Manila, the Tondo Church encouraged devotees to attend online masses, as Mayor Isko Moreno prohibited all physical activities related to the feast. Still, there were those who passed by the church to offer their prayers.
“Sana matapos na itong pandemic na ito para lahat tayo makagalaw na para matapos na problema ng buong mundo,” Edwin Perez, devotee of Sto Nino de Tondo said.
[Translation: I pray that this pandemic will end soon, so we can start moving and end this global problem.]
In Cebu, the colorful, lively, and grand Sinulog festival was cancelled again this year due to rising cases in the province. Even so, Louie Nacorda was able to complete the nine-day holy masses online, and prayed for each of his collection of images.
“Faith is still there. Naku, kapag nakita mo ‘yung mga tao rito maluluha ka dahil sa tibay ng pananampalataya nila. We, Cebuanos strengthen each other by faith, eh,” he said.
[Translation: Faith is still there. You will get teary-eyed when you witness the strong faith of the people. We, Cebuanos strengthen each other by faith.]
Nacorda has more than 50 different images of the Sto. Nino and more than a hundred other patron saints in his collection.
In Aklan, the Pilgrims’ Mass for the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan festival this year went on as scheduled, amid the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the province.
The Kalibo festival, considered as the mother of all Philippine festivals, is now on its 112th year.
But this year was the second time that major events like the “Sadsad sa Kalye” and the “Ati-atihan Tribe Costume and Street Dancing Contest” were cancelled.
During the Pilgrims’ Mass at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral Church, Kalibo Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc reminded devotees to strengthen their faith, especially during this time of crisis.
“This devotion is linked to the history of the Filipino people. The first religious image we received from the Spanish seminaries was the Sto. Niño. Let us strengthen our faith and devotion to Sto. Niño”, Bishop Tala-oc explained.
Only a third of the capacity of the church was allowed to enter. The rest stood in markings outside and watched the mass from the two big screens installed by the local government of Kalibo.
Aklan-based correspondent Carla Doromal contributed to this report.
