Spared Pablo’s wrath, Cebuanos look up to heaven

MANY Cebuanos, both ordinary citizens and grateful officials, credited divine intervention for sparing Cebu from the brunt of typhoon Pablo’s wrath.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said Cebu was protected by the mercy of God through the intercession of St. Pedro Calungsod and the Virgin Mary.

“Gikaloy-an gyud intawn ta sa kahitas-an, pinaagi sa pangaliya sa bag-ong santo, si San Pedro Calungsod,” she said.

“Naa pa atong birhen sa Regla ug Sr. Sto. Niño.”

Invoking the Sto. Niño for protection is a natural practice of many Catholic Cebuanos, and is part of an oratio operata (mandatory prayer) recited at the end of every Mass in the Cebu Archdiocese.

A 75-year-old woman in barangay Canduman, Mandaue city said she spent most of Tuesday night until Wednesday morning praying to keep Cebu safe.

“Way undang ghud ko sa pagpanadye, hangtod nga nakadungog ko sa balita nga nitipas na ang bagyo ug di na moagi sa Cebu,” said Nene Patigayon.

(I never ceased praying until I heard the news that the storm had passed and wouldn’t hit Cebu.)

Mandaue City Hall employee Joel Retruerto said although he was busy with his duties as part of the disaster team helping families evacate from their coastal homes, he found time to drop in the National Shrine of St. Joseph to light five candles, for the safety of his family and all Cebuanos.Correspondent Fe Marie Dumaboc