santo nino

Santo Niño, High King!!!

          “In every feast there’s a hidden message and in every message is a gift” Johanna Fe Guevarra.

The Santo Niño of Cebu has always been our protector since time immemorial. He existed even before we are born and was there before the creation of the world. For one of His verses said, “Me and My Father are one. Whoever believes in me will have an eternal life”.

And as one of the follower of Santo Niño, I make my own story of the song “Bato Balani”.

‘Bato Balani sa gugma, sa daan tawo palangga

Kanamo maluoy ka unta nga kanimo nangilaba”

            Jessie was an orphan who lives near the church. Everybody loves him for he has this ability to make someone smile. Everyday he sell sampaguita outside the church so that he can feed the known species in his tummy. One day, he saw a family man driving his car and its way towards him.  Devotees founds out that the man loses its breaks and was speechless when they saw that Jessie was trapped on the front of the car and was dead on the spot.

“Dinhi sa syudad sa Sugbo, ang matahom mong larawan

Sa imong mga misyonero, sa usang balay hipalgan

Kanila ikaw nagpakita, gikan da sa imong gugma”

Due to hemorrhage, Jessie loses its life that instant. All who know him became sad and mourn. Because of conscience, the family man took Jessie’s picture in the morgue and planned to put it where the accident happened. As he put the portrait, he saw something that’s very impossible to happen.

‘‘Giludhan ikaw gisimba, niadtong mga kaparian

Sa tanan nga katawhan, sa punuan nila

Kay sa pagtan-aw kanimo, ulipon sila nahimo”

            The family man saw that Jessie’s image smile. Instead of getting afraid, he shouts for joy because he just can’t imagine his feelings towards the photo. He kneels to the picture and instead of worrying what people say towards him, he shout “Jessie, thank you for your forgiveness.  From now on, I am your servant!” and he kissed the laminated image.

“Ang simbahan gipatindog, niadtong mga tawhanan

Aron ang larawan nimu, dunay usang puluy-anan

Ug didto gihangyo nila nga kaloy-an nimu sila”

The family man offered everything including his wealth, sacrificed his own family for Jessie. Everyday he visits the place where the incident happens. Then he noticed something to Jessie’s photo. When he first saw it, he thought it was nothing but when he take it a closer look, Jessie’s hand were now holding a cross and earth. He just realized that both are what he offered during his funeral. So he built a home where Jessie’s photo will not get too exposed under the heat of the sun and for the people to know about Jessie’s life and mystery.

“Nangayo kami kanimo nga ang matahom mong larawan

Sa sulod sa kalag namo, makahimong puluy-anan

Kay sa tanang kinahanglan, ikaw ang among dalangpan”

All of Jessie’s’ miraculous behaviors were spread. People who believe in him got fine just looking at his face even if their condition was worst. Some wished to have a better life, a stable job, family, salvation of souls, forgiveness, thanks giving and so on. And so people offered the Sinulog Festival because they offer everything to Santo Niño for giving them everything including the pain and happiness.