This is the phrase that's engraved on the front of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu right now. In this Synodal Church community, Santo Niño is indeed the magnet of love. His glorifying presence has made us people united in the name of love and devotion. Sto. Niño is my constant safe haven. I go there whenever I'm happy or sad. Yet last night, after classes, I went there with a big smile on my face and came there to thank Him for helping me do a great job at school. My short list of accomplishments would always make me happy because I know everything is just one step at a time, and every little achievement contributes to success.
It was a very difficult oral assessment of one of our major subjects, and everything on that specific course is just so complicated. It may sound overstated, but that subject has such complex types of quizzes, exams, oral assessments, and so on that all students from all the sections under that professor would always get a score of 0. Thus, yesterday was super nerve-racking, having a one-on-one oral recitation with our terror professor, picking up 2 questions out of 71, and with the answers, there should be both agreement and disagreement with the statement, with a legal or marketing basis as well as examples for each stance.
Everyone has been very nervous because that assessment would have a great impact on our grades, and we need to make up for the final grading. Hence, we have to do our very best. Fortunately, I made it, and with that, before going home, I first went to the Basilica for thanksgiving.
I went there with my classmates—friends, and as you can see, you can still feel the spirit of Christmas. Daylight or nighttime, Basilica Del Sto. Niño will always be full of people, and it'll always be the home of comfort, love, and unity.
The banderitas, or Banderitas de Navidad, the colorful triangular banners you can see hanging above, symbolize the forthcoming big festive celebration, which is the Sinulog festival. This festive occasion is actually one of the most famous and widely attended festivals here in the Philippines. It is held every third Sunday of January, with people from neighboring islands, including celebrities and local and international tourists, gathering together in Cebu to celebrate with the Cebuanos. It's actually fast approaching, and everyone, not just the Cebuanos, is very keen on and excited about it.
Moreover, last night, with my intention of visiting the church, we then proceeded to the dagkutanan, the prayer area, where you light candles and offer your prayer intentions to Sr. Sto. Niño. The dagkutanan was not originally positioned here, but it has been relocated to a wider area as a sort of preparation for Sinulog because, as expected, there'll be many people coming to this sanctuary. Additionally, I finally offered mine, and I feel even happier and blessed right after.
There are many devotees of the divine and miraculous Sr. Sto. Niño, who always keeps coming back with everyone bringing their individual prayer intentions. This sacred place is definitely every Cebuano's refuge.
If you wish to know more about the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, I've posted a blog featuring some wonderful photos as well as a short historical background about Sr. Sto. Niño, and you can check it here.
By the way, thank you, dear Hivers, for reaching this far. I appreciate the time you invested just to read my blog. Have a great day ahead!