Cebu has just concluded the annual festivities in honor of its revered Santo Niño. Millions trooped to the basilica for over a week in anticipation of the “Fiesta Señor,” as they call it here. Everything was splendidly coordinated by Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, rector of the basilica.
Presiding over this year’s celebrations were Dr. José Enrique de las Peñas and his wife Dr. Jill Johns de las Peñas as hermano mayor and hermana mayor. With them in all the events were their four children—Mary Ellen, Mary Elizabeth, Mary Angeli and John Edward de las Peñas.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, early in the morning, they boarded the ship fitted as a Spanish galleon for the fluvial procession. Amid myriad seacraft, it sailed from the Mandaue wharf of the late Ernesto and Mary Ouano, through the Mactan channel, and on to Pier 3 in Cebu City while multitudes cheered and/or danced the Sinulog votive dance.
In the afternoon they joined the procession following the silver float bearing the miraculous image. One could hardly see it for the heaps of orchids, roses and flowers in all colors that smothered the carroza. About a million joined the trajectory or watched, lining the long, winding route.
Jo-en and Jill de las Peñas presided with their family the solemn high Mass the morning of Jan. 18 at the open-air pilgrims’ center in front of the basilica. Later they hosted a luncheon at the grand salon of the basilica’s convent.
This year is significant for devotees as it marks the 450th year of the finding of the Santo Niño by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, 44 years after Magellan had given the statue to Cebu’s Queen Juana on her baptismal.
For the Augustinians it is also the 450th year of their presence in the Philippines, and 50 years since the church they built in Cebu was raised to the rank of basilica in 1965.
It is located on the exact spot where Legazpi’s men found the image in April 1565. There will be more festivities to observe this finding—Kaplag, as they say in Cebuano—this coming April.
As tradition has it, José Mari and Happy (née Ouano) Miranda hosted a Fiesta Señor luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the family mansion on Ramos Street. Mostly close relations and dear friends attended, welcomed by the Miranda children, Merche, Ipar and Tessa and Josu.
Homemade fare delighted everyone, especially those huge juicy prawns from the Miranda farm in Bogo, northern Cebu. Former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia and his wife Ninette were there, but left early as they’d join the procession on foot.
Jay and Edwina (née Link-Alvarez) Harris were there. They live in Seattle but every year they come to Cebu to spend the winter months mostly at Edwina’s farm in Bogo. Yes, sugarcane is sweet, Edwina says.
Spectacular pageant
The Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) presented a spectacular beauty pageant during Sinulog week to choose this year’s Miss Cebu at the ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Chairperson and congratulated for a magnificent presentation was Jaja Chiongbian Rama.
Before the program, CCTC chair person Tetta Ba-ad was onstage to launch the city’s project for September, titled Lakbay Lingaw, a touristic festival that highlights the best Cebu has to offer.
With Tetta in the spotlight were members of the steering group—Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Marco Polo Hotel general manager Julie Najar, Marget Villarica, Melanie Ng, Tess Chan and Rowena Montecillo.
The pageant began as soon as Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama arrived, and sat in the front row with, among others, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilor James Cuenco. Also seen were former Representative Antonio Cuenco and Ambassador Francisco Benedicto.
Judges were Suyen Sia, Izza Gonzalez Agana, Carlos Celdran, Frederick Peralta, and Emmy award-winning producer Michael Carandang who was the chairman.
The crowd’s favorite was winner Wynona Van Joy Buot, crowned with a huge sparkling tiara by her predecessor, Diane Muego, amid loud cheers, the band’s fanfare, and thunderous applause.
Wynona also won the special awards—Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, Kapamilya Star of the Night and Best in Evening Gown. The previous night, at The Terraces of Ayala Center during a pre-pageant show, she also romped away with two titles—Best in Fun Wear and Miss Ayala Fiesta Island.
Strong contenders for the title of Miss Cebu were the four pretty and brainy runners-up, namely, and in the order of placement: Maria Genefe Navilon, Aivy Mae Castro, Lucena Rose Magdadaro and Domenic Reynes.
It was nice to see on stage, making a farewell walk with Diane Muego, last year’s runners-up, Eva Psychee Patalinghug, Hannah Mae Gore, Grace Yap and Crystal Star Aberasturi.
Entertainment numbers came from Tom Rodriguez, Monica Sacay, Jem Cubil and Jimmy Marquez. Must they sing so loud? Maybe so, because their accompaniment practically drowns them.