I have worked and lived in this small town for almost seven years. But this year has just been my second year participating in this annual tradition.
For context, I was born and raised in Medellin, Cebu and was assigned to teach in a public school in Santander, Cebu since 2018. It is typically from North to South of Cebu.
In my almost seven years of staying here, I have already learned some of their culture like celebrating feasts almost every month in every barangay, inviting every person they'd see whenever there's an occasion, being hospitable and a lot more.
And what shocked me the most is that when there is an occasion and you are invited beforehand, you need to bring something like a case of beer or soft drinks, meat or anything and they will list everything that is being offered and brought. Because in the future, those who are being given gifts will also give back the gifts to the family of the other person. It's like an investment for them.
For instance, some would offer one whole pig for a wedding in exchange of a whole pig for their children's wedding in the future.
That culture really shocked me. I don't know if it also exists in some towns but it was my first time knowing about it when I got here.
One of my personal favorite culture or tradition that they do here is how they celebrate the feast of Sto. Niño or what most of the people know as Sinulog.
Every third Sunday of January, the neighbors will gather in the house of the host for the celebration where the foods will be served. Everyone helps in preparing for everything -- from staying awake 'til midnight to prepare the ingredients and chop the vegetables for the different recipes to waking up early in the morning to slaughter the meat and start cooking. So when lunch time comes, everyone will gather around the table and enjoy the food after a short prayer offering for the Sto. Niño.
After eating, everyone will be given time to write their wishes and prayers on a piece of paper and tie it on a balloon's strings. The colors of the balloons are red and yellow as these are the colors that symbolize the saint.
When we are done writing our prayers and wishes, we will altogether stand beside the road and play a Huniño (Huni Alang kang Santo Niño) or a song dedicated to Sto. Niño and then everyone will release their balloons up high at the same time and watch as the balloons fade away in the sky.
Personally, I really don't believe in these kinds of traditions but participating in it and being a part of it is fulfilling for me. There may be zero percent chance my piece of paper will be able to reach the heavens but what I truly believe is that what I wrote in there were from the desires of my heart and I know God will grant the desires of your heart as long as it is with good intentions.
