Sinulog Days just passed and so does the flood posts in facebook and instagram of people who attended and completed the Novena Masses.And from this years Sinulog fiest,I am so delight that a lot of people are dedicated and faithful to Sto. Nino. It really made me think that Spaniards truly gave an impact to the perception of Cebuanos. From my observation, the church is filled with many people who believes in the miracles of the Sto Nino, the crowd is massive even outside the church that it would cause traffic.I saw a lot of people having teary eyed everytime the song "Bato Balani sa gugma" would play and they would sang the song from the heart while waving their hands. Rain or shine the devotees would still make an effort to attend Novena Masses.I`ve heard that old people would purposely wet themselves in the rain because for them it is a blessing from Sto Nino.This just shows how strong their faith and trust to Sto Nino despite the criticisms being thrown by other religions.
Jose Rizal laid down some disaproval on some practices of the religion that was mentioned in Noli Me Tangere, one of which is the contribution of people attending the masses that would cost Php 250 pesos.Nowadays, there`s no fix amount of money but people are encourage to pledge in order to help the churches.Another issues being laid in Noli Me Tangere was the attitude of devotees who would push one another just to touch the holy water and make the sign of the cross.And from my observation it still does exist.I saw many people pushing one another just to received the unleavened bread being distributed by priests. Devotees believes that eating and receiving the unleavened bread is an essential part in attending the mass because it signifies that one is willing to received God from their heart and life.I also observed that people nowadays would go to churches just to brag their new clothes, shoes and etc.Some people also do it for facebook and instagram purposes only to somehow tell to social media that they are truly religious.They somehow forget the real essence of Novena masses.These acts indicates that in Rizal time and even up to now those religious practices are still present. If Rizal were here today, he would probably write more books about the religious acts of filipinos both the good and bad sides.I guess the devotees should always bear in mind that aside from attending and completing the Novena masses, they should apply the words of God in real life.Because the vital role of Sinulog and even the churches itself is to spread forgiveness and love to one another.Attending masses would be useless if one would go home and still do certain bad acts to self and other people.
-Murvy Jane L. Montederamos
