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Nikki Reports January 24, 2010

FEAST OF STO. NINO

Papa and Mama are so religious, it was that which brought them to build a small private chapel inside our premises since I was in high school and chose STO. NINO as our devotion. Sto. Nino is the image of Jesus Christ when he was a kid and we give him a commemoration every 15th of January and call it FEAST OF STO. NINO.

Before we come to the very day, we will do the 9 nights NOVENA, a special prayer dedicated to Him. So we started the Novena from 6th of January to the 14th and during the 9th night we carry the statue and walk around the village while saying the Rosary (Procession) and the people attended the Procession carried also their own Sto. Nino statue until we arrived back in the chapel and pray the last day of Novena with religious songs. The priest will then sprinkle the holy water to all the statue in the chapel.

Later, after the Prayer, everybody gathers to enjoy the prepared snacks ... while the chef is in the kitchen busy preparing the menus for tomorrows food for the FEAST. It is our family's tradition to give and let the people dine freely during the Feast day. Early morning of the 15th of January everybody in the home are busy preparing the utensils and tables for our free meal Buffet.

Before we start the Buffet the SINULOG/ATI ATIHAN performs their traditional dance. It is the way of Praising & expressing our devotion...it is the way of calling Him. This dance is very common and played more special in Cebu City every January celebrating the same Feast. After the dance show, everybody around who wanted to eat are welcomed.

So we served the foods on the table until everybody are served and stuffed...
While the kids are playing the Parlor games outside
Then the feast is over soon the people are gone and until our foods are over.

Sinulog - it is the way of praising
It is the way of calling Him (God)
Asking Him the blessings and good life.

The dancers will dye their selves into black (see picture) using burnt coconut husk mixed with water and apply in their skin. Some will add paint to make their face more colorful and carry long arrow while they dance. The dancers will dance and shout "Viva Sr. Sto. Nino" or "Pit Senor Viva" is a Spanish expression meaning Great.Sr. [Senyor] is a superior; Sto. [Santo] is saint; Nino [Ninyo] is Jesus name when he was a kid.

After the Dancers had their breakfast in our place they went straight to the Park to attend the Sinulog presentation. Some as a matter of more civilized way of dressing, they dance with different clothes but our dancers are still using the traditional costume and of course because they're unique, most of the people wanted to get a picture with them after the number!!

Everybody around commented that they're the best amongst the participants...but everybody received a Certificate of Recognition since it is not a contest.

With the 15th over, everybody in our family wanted to just relax on the 16th. So we decided to close the Eatery and went to Dawis Beach for relaxation. For us it was but for the kids they seemed don't feel the tiredness and still playing with the waves ... the ladies stayed in the cottage and lay down while men are just on the sand chatting, recalling the events of 15th (Feast) with beer beside them. Actually for men they're not resting - they believed that next day is Sunday and eatery still close so they still have a day for rest (hehehehehe).

So there it was everybody enjoyed the Feast though tiring but God will be with us!
And see what we did for Himclick to see many more pictures of our 2010's FEAST OF STO. NINO festivities in Digos