The word Sinulog, when translated, means graceful dance. It is a dance ritual to honor the image of Santo Niño. The celebration of Sinulog has changed into a far different scene from what we all knew and enjoyed. The Sinulog festival was truly a colorful experience that one had to try at least once in their life. The parades, the costumes, the dances, and the music brought the city to life. It drew in people from all over the world to join in celebration.
Sinulog was once a celebration that enticed people to walk all over the city under intense heat. The streets may be cleaner and quieter now, but Sinulog still holds a deep meaning for Cebuanos. Devotees may not fill the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to the brim, but people have found different ways to express their devotion for the Holy Child Jesus.
Ayala Center Cebu celebrates Sinulog with a list of activities and exhibits. To keep with tradition, Ayala Center Cebu is holding its annual Sto. Niño Devotion Display at The Gallery. With the theme Remember the Heart of the Feast, the display is rooted in the faith of the Cebuanos, “The Sto. Niño Devotion Display reminds us who we, Cebuanos devote the Sinulog season to—the Little Child, Jesus.”
In honor of Cebu’s most famous historic relic, the exhibit, which is on its 20th run, has over 40 images of Sto. Niño. Here you can find different representations of the Child Jesus from different homes of devotees in Cebu.
During the opening of the exhibit, Girlie Lapinid-Laspiñas led the singing of Bato Balani sa Gugma, a song of thanksgiving for Sto. Niño. Before the pandemic hit, devotees would fill the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, and those who couldn’t go in the basilica would flood the streets outside. When people hear this hymn, they wave their hands in the air. In the same fashion, when this song played at the exhibit, mallgoers waved their hands in praise of Sto. Niño. The celebration may be different, but the devotion remains the same.
The display features the smallest Sto. Niño image owned by the Holganza family. The exhibit also includes 14 images from Ellis Mendez, a Sto. Niño devotee who is also a collector of religious images. One of his images on display is a replica of the Sto. Niño de Praga or the Infant Jesus of Prague. This representation of Sto. Niño is one of the most popular and is recognized by the Vatican.
Images from other collectors and devotees like the late Cardinal Vidal, Harley Ruedas, Dr. Xavier Solis, the Olofernes family, Anton Yap, and Susing Arsenal are also featured in the exhibit.
The Sto. Niño Devotion Display is located at Level 1, The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu. The exhibit runs until January 31.
Other things to visit in Ayala Center Cebu include the Sinulog and Beyond exhibit, and the Sinulog Festival Queen exhibit. In addition, catch the Sto. Niño and Sinulog-themed paintings around The Terraces.
Photography Ted and Tim Bermudez
