“People specifically the devotees of Senior Sto. Niño wanted to visit the church (Basilica Del Sto. Niño) to express their gratitude and praise God for sending his only begotten Son to be the light, healer and redeemer of this world.” says, Maria Eden A. Petalcorin, a candle vendor for 25 years.
Basilica del Sto. Niño church has been one of the main attractions in Cebu. This is due to people’s devotion to the Holy Child and strong faith they have, thinking that the child is miraculous. The images of the Child Jesus always adorn the altars of houses, business establishments and even in public utility vehicles in the region. Truly as it has been said, devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu is popular not only in the Visayas but all throughout the country.
Sto. Niño de Cebu church was founded by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565, the very day the Legaspe-Urdaneta expedition arrived in the island. According to the Libro de Gobierno, “this is the first house in these islands”. The construction of the church has been continuously developing up to present through the help of the donations from the devotees all over the world.
According to Mrs. Petalcorin, the candles they are selling represent different meaning. The colors green for financial success, blue for work and school matters, yellow for good health and lastly, red for love. Some of the visitors also told them that one of the reasons why tourists wanted to visit the church because they wished to see personally the cross planted by Magellan which is made of Tindalo Wood.
The church also has remarkable belongings located in their museum wherein tourists will surely be amazed. Some of the displays are the collections from Korea, Africa and Indonesia. Different photos of Senior Santo Niño will also be seen together with the paintings. Other historical things in the museum that will surely catch anybody’s interest include centuries old table and chair made up of wood and granite, images and vestments of Senior Sto. Niño,old crown and accessories of the original image of Sto. Niño, wooden tabernade, old keys, centennial fan, old centuries altar tables, old wooden missal stand, holy rosaries, collections from the devotees, communion plates, devotional literatures, century old books covered by animal skin such as cow and pig skin, cape and dalmatic, and toys donated by the devotees.
Patronizing the holy child has been a one of the cultures of most Cebuanos. Tourists travel because they wanted to see and learn why people all over the world especially Cebuanos really praised him. In visiting the church, curious people will surely notice the strong faith the devotees have to Senior Santo Niño.
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