SINULOG: JUST OR UNJUST TREATMENT?

Sinulog is the time of venerating the Holy Child, Señor Santo Niño. This is the time that a lot of people from different places flock here in Cebu City just to visit his house, Basilica del Santo Niño. There will be nine days of novena in honor of the Holy Child. Some people went there (Pilgrimage of Basilica) to light candles, pray, falls longest line just to wipe his glassed image and attends mass. These are usually done by the devotees of the child since their prayers were answered, some of them were still asking for something from Him.

Last January 15, 2009, it was the day when the University of Cebu is one of the sponsors of the mass. This has been yearly activity organized by the people who manage the mass sponsorship. It was about four past thirty when I decided to walk ahead of the UC community, thinking I could find myself a comfortable place to stay with. As I walked, the CWTS students were there in the streets. They were ready to cordon the place since UC composed of quite number of faculty and students from different campuses.

I just walked normally since I am three months pregnant. The carosa of UC is not too far from where I stand. It is just about 50 meters away from me. Nevertheless, I walked a little bit faster. Until such, I reached at the Basilica. There I could hardly breathe since most people where just coming in and out.

I wanted to stayed at the pilgrimage, there is only one way in going up in each side of it. I could describe it as a flooding, bumper to bumper. You can’t move. I am afraid that time, there was a stampede. What I did, I just put my arms around my belly just to protect me and my baby from bumping. Fortunately, I made it on top.

On the other hand, after Sinulog, if I was not mistaken, that was January 19, 2009, Manny Pacquiao visited Basilica. He was given a special treatment. It is a special treatment in a sense that he doesn’t need to fall in line just to kiss the image.  In my opinion, it has to be fair and square. Popularity should not be the bases of special treatment. If Manny is a devotee of Santo Niño, he should do the same thing of what ordinary people did.

Due to the incident happen, the organizing committee of the Sinulog Fiesta must give priority lane for senior citizens, pregnant and people who are in the wheelchair. In this manner, there would be cozy feeling for those who will attend the mass and to avoid from stampede.