PIT SENYOR!

Soaking wet and loving it

I am very wet and shivering in cold due to the heavy rains during the last day of the novena mass to the Santo Niño de Cebu at the Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu City just a few minutes ago.

Such a nice feeling when everyone did not mind being wet at all and nobody raised a voice when someone accidentally shoved their umbrellas around.

In one voice we sing praise and glory to God.

And while I was on my way home I met the people of Pasil on the way to the Basilica bringing various Santo Niños happily dancing to the beat of drums and dripping wet in the rain. I felt elated. I joined in.

 
Viva Señor Santo Niño!

(The heavy rains and strong winds toppled down the mansanitas in the printing press. It was an old tree.)

Sinulog is here!

I was jolted out of bed at 4 in the morning because of the pounding of drums somewhere down in Guadalupe area. WTF! But I realized that today is Friday, the last day of the novena of the Señor Santo Niño of Cebu. Officially, today is the feast day.

I went to the novena mass last night despite the rain and the massive crowd (as in MASSIVE!) and wondered why this country is so religious but is very slow when it comes to prosperity. Does religiosity have to do with development? Does religion have a hand with government corruption? And I mean corruption not only in government. Even that street vendor somewhere is very corrupt, for Christsakes!

Maybe because our being religious is only skin-deep? The pratices the Spaniards taught us were imbedded in our culture but never in our psyche. Ambivalent right? Or were they a mere reflection of what our invaders did in their time and we think it should be okay to be corrupt because we pray for the forgiveness of our sins daily? Daily! Do what I say, is that it?

Anyways- Sinulog is here and time to get ready with that sturdy walking shoes. What you mean you don't know what I mean? Sinulog is basically your exercise time since most of the streets in Cebu are closed for the celebration. The usual 15 minute-ride home would now mean 2 hours of waiting in the taxi. Better walk. Another excuse to do cardio.

And please bring your rainy day gadgets despite Pagasa declaring we would be experiencing warmer weather. It has been raining since Monday and getting worst today.

Pit Señor everyone!

All together in His glory

We were all there doing our supplications.

Some gave thanks. Some asked. Men. Women. Young. Old. And children. Innocent children not knowing what was going on. Some a month old.

We were all there. Praying, each a different one. Except the children. Yeah. Except the children who were running. Or crying.

Men. Women. Men who dressed like women. Women acting like men.

Some smelling like heaven. Others like fish rot. Some sweating. Others acting cooler than the electric fans. Some danced. I don't know why. Others stiffled a cry. Others obviously happy. I saw a woman who was laughing and talking to herself. I was hoping some angel whispered something to her. Some touching the glass-framed photos of unknown saints and made the cross. Some actually kissed the frames.

Others pushed other people oblivious to the ongoing mass. Others come and go like the mass they were seeing was a bad movie. There was even a couple smooching in the small plaza inside the basilica.

All came to this place asking solace, comfort, peace, thanks or just be seen.

I came here in gratitude.

I was at the Basilica of Sto Niño in downtown Cebu this morning to give thanks to the Almighty for the rare opportunity of experiencing 30 days of fasting and surviving the process with a different outlook in life.

Despite the ambivalence, these people made life colorful. Life is beautiful.

And the cantor sang: A---MEN. A---Men. A---men.

My love affair with Sinulog

Most of you non-Cebuanos would excitedly flock to Cebu and see the Sinulog celebrations. Mine is a love-hate relationship with Sinulog. Here are the reasons why-

Why I hate Sinulog-

• People everywhere would cause massive traffic jams.
  
• The usual 15-minute ride would almost become an hour of intense struggle.
  
• During the Sinulog parade, all you could do is walk. Jeepneys are re-routed. Taxis won't bring you to your destination no matter how near because of very slow traffic.
  
• Noise pollution becomes intense! Beating of drums even in the evenings can be heard. Karaoke in the houses are on the rise.
  
• Our favorite hangouts suddenly become full and nowhere can we sit in.
  
• Bars, even those unknown, would cordone off their premises and impose an entrance fee even if they have nothing special going on. You pay the entrance fee and drink a beer. Shucks.
  
• I have to search for hotels and pension houses so that friends could be accommodated. But at this time, even the dirtiest pension house are doing well. So I have to scout even outside city limits. Tiring!
  
• Pickpockets, swindlers, snatchers would be in season.
  
• Muggers and trippers also abound. Just be careful.
  
• And I am quite sure only a few souls would go to the Basilica del Señor Santo Niño and at least light some candles there.
  

Why I love Sinulog-

• Friends connect. Even long time friends suddenly remembers you. Especially if they need a place to stay.
  
• Friends from abroad comes home. If you are good to them you can have a pasalubong.
  
• So many freebies from companies offering new products and discounts!
  
• Stores would offer sale and discounts.
  
• Sinulog is eyecandy. Aside from the colorful costumes of dancers, so many yummy people can be seen around as if some magic spell comes to Cebu.
  
• Some people come to Cebu to get laid. So be always ready, just in case. Remember to bring other safety gadgets.
  
• The celebrations would bring in lots of food and drinks. Some friends would invite you to eat at their house.
  
• Sinulog is a good reason to be drunk until the morning.
  
• You can visit the whole province if you take time to see the big displays on the Sinulog routes.
  
• Christmaasss is extended!
  

Picture grabbed from rengarcia.wordpress.com

Gold

Camera: Sony Ericsson W810i, night mode

Location: Santo Niño Church, Cebu, 6 in the evening