President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged the people of Cebu City, who are celebrating the annual Sinulog Festival, to translate their faith into action so they may spread the messages of hope, love, and joy to others.
Malacañang released his message Sunday morning, Jan. 21, as the Catholic faithful in Cebu City joined weekend processions to show their devotion to the Holy Child, Señor Santo Niño, in one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines.
“Through this occasion, we see patrons from all walks of life express their profound gratitude for the miracles, blessings, and countless deliverances bestowed upon them over the past year and pray for good health, protection, and prosperity in the year ahead,” President Marcos told the Cebuanos.
“As you revel with pride and joy on this special day, I hope that you will remain ever united in spurring the socioeconomic growth of your city and in further developing the thriving industries of Cebu,” he added.
President Marcos also urged the Santo Niño devotees to “always prayfor spiritual strength and fortitude to overcome whatever challenges and difficulties that may lie ahead.” He also asked them to work together with his administration in maximizing opportunities this new year.
“Guided by our faith and inspired by the bayanihan spirit, let us remain ever conscious of the responsibilities we all bear as Catholics and citizens of our country, so that we may reach our shared destiny of a Bagong Pilipinas that opens a better and more abundant life for all Filipinos,” he concluded.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, meanwhile, underscored the importance of family and education as he led the Catholic faithful during the Solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of Señor Santo Niño Minor Basilica of the Holy Child in Cebu City, Sunday.
“It’s a treasure to emphasize family unity. I know for a fact that many of the parents believed in the importance of education. It’s important to send our children to school, but your teachings to your children at home are equally important,” Palma said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The archbishop said he was happy to see children being brought by their parents to participate in the Fiesta Señor religious activities, saying “that’s the way we promote faith” to the youth.
Palma noted that Cebu has been a melting pot for students from anywhere in the world, who come to get their college education in Asia’s cradle of Christianity.
“Thanks to the parents who encourage their children to get a good Christian education because they are our hope,” he said.
The 73-year-old leader of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s 4.5 million Roman Catholics also recalled how Cebuano families survived and recovered from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that destroyed the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño’s belfry and leveled many churches in Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013.
A month later, families faced the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Most recently, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) claimed thousands of Cebuano lives.
Despite all the calamities that struck families, he said the Santo Niño blessed Cebu with big religious events with global impact, such as the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 and the Quincentennial of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival that marked the 500th year of Christianity.
“Note that we celebrated here the first baptism and the first mass in the country. And that happened here in Cebu,” he added.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Antonio Rañola and other priests concelebrated the Pontifical Mass.