ViVa Pit Señor January 2011
It’s the barangay’s fiesta, celebrated annually every third Sunday of January. Together with Sinulog in Cebu, my barangay’s fiesta was set on January 16, 2011. January is dedicated and devoted for Sto Niño, the child Jesus. I have heard from a certain news magazine in television that the reason why many people are devotees of the Sto Niño is because a child is easy to talk with. He is full of authenticity and no pretentions just like any child, they will hardly tell you lies and pretentions. (But I am not saying what you are thinking otherwise). This is a nationwide celebration as other provinces in the Philippines do have their own version of Sto Niño fiesta.
In our barangay, the fiesta features a 9 day novena prayer done on our Sto Niño Chapel then after that the image is brought to each purok. Our Purok welcomed the image of Sto Niño on January 13, 2011. It was carried by our Barangay Captain Rogelio Miranda together with several devotees in our purok including mom and Aunt Lita.
My mom is the purok leader and so we her family also contributed to the preparation for this day. I was assigned at decorating the altar. I spent 4 days in completing the said décor. My hands got aches and pains and got back problems. But these were all gone after I saw the end product. I myself was astonished as to the creativity and ingenuity of the said product. I got the idea from youtube with those “how to do” videos and I made my own version and it was astonishing. (Gosh Im lifting my own chair!!! Hahaha) The theme this year is a flower garden. I made paper flowers of pink, red and white glitterized with silver dust. I finished the flower wreath as if it acted as Halo at the back of the image accentuated by dancing lights. The other one was I called it flower twine, made up of discard electric wires to highlight the poster image. The altar was made a huge impact when the orchids from Lumiyap was added. Together with the rest of the images of Sto Niño depicting the different manifestations, the altar was grandiose for me.
On that day, Czarene was also busy with the children’s participation on the said event. The group gave a welcomed dance for the Sto Nino on his arrival while Anan did the makeup.
The Holy Child will always have a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, not only because we love children, but because of the numerous stories of miracles He has performed and our deeply ingrained faith in His power to grant healing, assistance during necessities, success in business, bountiful harvests, safe voyages, good health, guidance when taking examinations, approvals of visas to work abroad, or a gift of a child for childless couples, among the countless petitions lifted to Him in prayer. May the Holy Child bless our country and our people, and may He grant us all the things that we need to lead our country along the path of prosperity and peace.
(Pictures taken during the fiesta and while the image was brought home.)
Mom and Dad at the Sto Niño Chapel
Sisy Alen, Me and mom with the Image at home
