The Holy Child and Cebu’s street children

My friend and media colleague Froilan Gallardo who used to write for this paper and who now slugs it out for the online MindaNews asked me on the social networking site what’s new with the 2013 Sinulog coverage. I told Froi that media, as usual, will have one eye watching religious, cultural and civic elements. The other eye will be cast on political sidelights.

Observing the celebration in terms of the novenario (9-day novena Masses) and the mammoth street party known as the Sinulog in an election year is a massive media assignment.

The novena Masses in the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño are always packed with devotees and the figures are staggering, between five and 10 thousand people, on the hour by the hour from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The cultural activities that culminate in the Sinulog grand parade this coming Sunday have become a colossal tourist attraction. The programs initiated by the city government through the Sinulog Foundation Inc. compete with activities cooked up by telecoms, shopping malls and hotels.

Inside shopping malls, space is cramped with stalls selling Sinulog T-shirts even as buyers are treated to free art and antique exhibits, organized bazaars selling food and Sinulog souvenirs. If this is not enough, five-star hotels feature Cebuano cuisine and live shows with top Manila entertainers. And there are the beauty contests and singing competitions preceded by mini events. The streets are filled with hawkers selling dry goods and food.

In 2008, I culled a clip from an article written by Cebuana teacher Lisa Ramos Torres published in the Thai magazine, Sawaddi. Ramos-Torres described the Sinulog as the mother of all fiesta celebrations in the country and she couldn’t have put it more fittingly.

“From the standpoint of motherhood, every Christian celebration in the Philippines derives from the Sinulog. Meaning, whether it’s a festival in Batanes up north or in Tawi-tawi down south, celebrated to honor a particular patron saint and invoke his aid or give thanks for material blessings or spiritual graces, alongside dancing in the streets, holding lechon festivals, or searching for the biggest kalabasa, biggest bloom, fairest festival queen, great dancers, terrific costumes, etc., like we do in honor of the Holy Child, these occasions of merrymaking trace their beginnings to the faith of the first Christians in our beloved city,” I wrote in Jan. 24, 2008.

In sum, the celebration which honors the Señor Santo Nino has flowed to practically all facets of life in Cebu as well as in other places that celebrate the arrival of the gift of faith in this island more than 447 years ago. From prayer, play, work, to food and arts, the faith dimension is woven consciously or not in all activities.

Froilan’s question is provocative because merrymaking only satiates the senses and over time, the celebration can get predictable. The point really is, what can Cebuanos offer this year especially for those who keep coming here and had been to the usual places and done the customary religious and cultural exercises?

Indeed, where does our worship of the Senyor Santo Niño go from here?

On the third day of 9-day novena masses leading to the Feast of the Senyor Santo Nino, I chose to attend the 5:30 p.m. Mass presided by Fr. Carmelo “Melo” Diola, executive director of Dilaab Foundation, whose main advocacy is the dismantling of corrupt structures in society.

An invitation via text, saying the Mass is sponsored by a network of nongovernment organizations working for the benefit of Cebu’s street children got me interested.

After the Mass, the NGO network and their street children-wards proceeded to the Senior Citizens’ Park at the back of City Hall for fellowship and dinner. I learned that six NGOs have banded together this year to help street kids, many of whom are under the influence of criminals. There is a law that exempts minors from prosecution and underworld elements are exploiting this by using minors to steal. I was a victim of snatching last year and guess what, a boy about 13 years old was identified as the one who stole my insignificant burloloy.

If you notice, only children of Badjaos or sea gypsies who live in the coastal areas of Cebu City are begging for alms in the streets while Cebu’s street children are into rugby and criminal activities.

It’s been nine months since the Network for Street Children (NSC) reached out to street kids. Dilaab Foundation is joined by other NGOs like SOS, Balay Samaritano and the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Student volunteers and former street kids who have reformed are helping the NSC reach out to the misguided youth.

At the Balay Samaritano for instance, Raffy Sanchez, an ex-street kid who has since renounced bad habits and is currently going to school, jams with former barkadas every weekend by giving them a bath, fitness instructions, English and mathematics lessons. The activity is capped by prayers and a little salo-salo.

Interstingly, while the NSC initiative is supposed to teach the street kids, many volunteers confess that the street kids have taught them important lessons.

According to 18-year -ld volunteer Maggie Cogtas, she was afraid of her street smart wards in the beginning, thinking they were violent. In time, she found them to be just kids at heart, friendly and sweet. The key to opening up their childlike qualities is attention and affection, she said.

The program is a work in progress. The challenge is to sustain the activities and clearly the NSC cannot do it on its own. The network needs public support especially because the street kids are Cebu’s own.

Viva Pit Señor!