The Story Behind Santo Niño de Cebú : My Random Pics as a 50% Devotee

It was year 1521 when a Spanish explorer named Ferdinand Magellan landed in an island in the Philippines, known by now as Cebu. Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Amihan was later baptized as a Catholic taking the Christian names Carlos and Juana after Magellan convinced them to pledge their allegiance with Spain. As a symbol of allegiance, Magellan gave them the Santo Niño.However, Magellan died during a fight against a tribe in Mactan led by Lapu-Lapu. In 1565, the Spaniards came back led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi .

The mystery behind the Santo Niño de Cebu started when Juan Camus, a soldier of Legaspi found the Santo Niño, relatively unscathed in a burn-out hut. It was then directly acknowledged as miraculous. Eventually, a church was then built in that area.

The Santo Niño de Cebu is a representation of the Child Jesus. Considered as a patron saint of Cebu, the Holy Child of Cebu is said to be an example of humility and as a celebration of the Incarnation. The feast of Santo Niño de Cebu, called Sinulog Festival falls on the 3rd Sunday of January. There are street dances, and land and fluvial parades which are sometimes attended by Filipino celebrities.

You might be a Catholic or not, but the Church and Convent of Santo Niño de Cebu and his feast is a historical place and event. If you love adventure, culture and travel, I bet you try this. Though I was so young when I have attended the feast and I can't remember anything right now, I am a 50% devotee to this patron. 50% because it takes a lot of responsibility to be a 100% devotee.

My last visit was the month of July this year. I always remember, when I was young, everytime we go to Cebu, to visit our relatives or to have a vacation, we always fall in a long line untill we get inside to see, touch and kiss the glass that covers the Santo Niño. Then we dropped coins at the front of the glass or sometimes we offered candies and chocolates and put it beside the glass. I was so young then.

A view from the outside of the church. The Santo Niño Church is located in Osmena Boulevard,Cebu City in Central Visayas.


A relaxing view at the left side on the way to the entrance of the
Santo Niño. There are angel statues and fountains and beautiful landscapes.


The Walls on the way to the Holy Child.


The Santo Niño de Cebu.
This is how it looks like inside.


A painting inside the church. There are more paintings you can see inside.





Outside the Church

I remember, when I was young, I always ask for a balloon after we attend the mass or visit the Holy Child.






Now I just like to capture the man who sell it, not minding the heat of the sun.












This old woman and that woman at the back are selling candles.
When you buy, you tell them your petition and they'll offer you prayers
while they dance and wave the candles you bought. (Dance is one of the trade mark according to the oldies because they said the Holy Child loves dances. That's why during the Sinulog, people offer dances to Him.) After that, you light all the candles.
I did this many times. This is how I was raised. It's part of my life now.


In front of the the Church is a wide-opened space.
This is used usually in a mass during the Sinulog Festival,
where huge number people attend it.


Standing at the side of the wide-opened area are statues of the 4 Saints.


Magellan's Cross
Standing in front of the Santo Niño Church, the Magellan's Cross
It is said that this cross is just a replica of the real cross.