In 1521, Ferdinand de Magallanes known as Magellan arrived and planted the cross in the shores of Cebu, claiming it in the name of the King of Spain, he offered the image of the Child Jesus, the Santo Niño as a baptismal gift to Queen Juana, wife of Cebu’s Rajah Humabon.
The 800 natives were also baptized together with the rulers of the land. This event marked the foundation of the Sinulog dances where Queen Juana holds the Sto. Niño in her arms and blesses her people.
Forty-four years later, after the death of Magellan in the hands of Lapu Lapu, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Cebu destroyed the village of Rajah Tupas. During the pillage, a soldier of Legazpi found a box containing the image of the Sto. Niño. Historians believe that between the fall of Magellan to the coming of Legazpi, the natives of Cebu continued to dance the Sinulog but not to worship anitos but to worship the Sto.Niño.
The Agustinian friars who came with Legazpi proclaimed the statue miraculous and built a church on the site where it was found and called it the San Agustin Church.
At present , the Church has become a national attraction, where millions of tourist and devotees visits the place. It is now renamed as Basilica Del Sto. Nino. It's feast is the most celebrated in the whole country.
Today is the finale of the novena mass to honor the Sto Nino feast. It's an annual celebration, that is celebrated every 2nd week of January. Thousand of devotees occupy the church and the pilgrim to express their faith. The feast is one of the most awaited event in Cebu, other activities like concerts, street parties, street dancing, and the grand Sinulog parade is something Cebuanos and tourist look forward to.
I'd like to share my night tour experience with Hailley my little guide, to give you a quick sneak peek of the place.
The Church shinning at night.
The wall design inspired with the Church's history.
Devotees, in the back ground, lighting up candles.
A closer view of architectural emblems.
Devotees singing the Bato Balani sa Gugma, a popular song of praise.
The Magellan's cross landmark.
A devotee carrying her Sto. Nino replica.
The historical ceiling art inside the Church.
The Artal.
Quick Night Tour video.
I hope you enjoyed watching. If you want to visit the place I suggest to go there at night time when there is less crowd and no dehydrating effect of the heat of the sun.
Pit Senor everyone! Happy Steeming!
