The wooden image of the Sto. Niño inside the bullet-proof glass case of the basilica in Cebu city is the original icon, over 400 years old, said Fr. Jonas Mejares, basilica rector.
Long lines of devotees trail into the basilica everyday to kiss and touch the glass, with silent prayers offered to the image of the child Jesus.
Contrary to often circulated stories that the original image was destroyed long destroyed, Mejares said one can tell the original piece by observing what looks like a scar on the face of the Holy Child, caused by an accidental fall years back, and its “distinctive smile”.
A replica is kep in the rector’s office. This is the one seen on TV during Sinulog coverage and used in the annual solemn foot procession durning the vesperas or Saturday.
Mejares said the Agustinians keep three to four other replicas for use in traditional activities like the “Walk with Jesus” procession the other day, and the “Hubo” or ritual undressing of the icon after the feast.
The Sinulog parade and merry-making is the secular, tourist-oriented side of the religious feast.
According to Mejares, this is the second Sinulog celebration he has witnessed as Cebu rector.
Despite the observation of some dismayed quarters that the Sinulog is becoming too “commercialized”, Mejares said he has observed the undying devotion of people to the Child Jesus.
“Even if the Sinulog Grand Parade and the dance showdown is ongoing, the number of people who come in and out to attend Mass at the Basilica is still unimaginable in number,” he said.
Paul Yabao, fiesta consultant, said that for the past three years, organizers have incorporated public dancing of the Sinulog during the last mass of the nine-day novena.
Devotees have the opportunity to use their bodies to praise and2 thank the Sto. Niño while joyfullying shouting their petitions, for example, “Pit Señor, kang Papa kini!”, while dancing to the sinuog beat.
“This is good because the devotees who pay candle vendors to do the sinulog for them can now do the dance and say their personal petitions as well,” says Yabong.
Mejares clarified that the Sinulog is not paganism, but stems from actual cultural history.
Long before the Spaniads came in 1521, island natives were praying to idols and offering dance as praise.
When Ferdinand Magellan arrived with Spanish missionaries and baptized Queen Juana and King Humabon, the people set aside their idols and replaced them with the image of Sto. Niño.
“The dance steps of the sinulog were maintained but the intention of the dance is no longer for idols but for the Child Jesus. This has given it the theological accent,” said Mejares.