The Benedictine Monastery of the Transfiguration

Leandro V. Locsin's last legacy before his death in 1994. A National Artist for Architecture, his other well know works include the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine International Convention Center and the Istana Nurul Iman palace of the Sultan of Brunei.

The pyramidic structure is perched on a hill located just a few kilometers from the city center. This is Malaybalay city's most visited modern landmark. Part of the complex the Benedictines call home because of the cool mountain breeze that constantly drift the several hectares of land dedicated to agriculture.

Scenes at the Malolos Sto. Niño Fiesta 2009

Beautifully decorated carrozas getting ready for dapit, a term derived from pagdapit or invitation. The carroza of the Sto. Niño de Malolos, together with a band, goes around the streets inviting other carrozas along the way. These carrozas in turn follow in a long sequence to the chapel where a translacion mass is held. Dapit is the first of three processions during the fiesta weekend, the other two happens on Sunday, one in the morning and the grand procession in the afternoon.

The biggest Sto. Niño festival in Luzon, it drew more than 130 carrozas bearing different images of the Holy Child in a grand procession on the last Sunday of January. The number of carrozas "filled to the brim" the grounds of the Malolos Cathedral.

Devotees flock inside the beautiful chapel. The antique image of the Sto. Niño de Malolos is said to very miraculous.

One of the images of the Holy Child exhibited at the Ecclesiastical Museum in Barasoain Church. Most of the images displayed in this museum are also used in the procession.

Keeper of the Sinulog

We Cebuanos know by heart the "two-steps forward and the one-step backward" movement of the Sinulog. That it is the grand annual festival held every third Sunday of January. That it is celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño.

One person though treasures more the sound and the movement like how her father, Buenaventura Diola taught her as a child. Estelita Diola or better known as Nang Titang faithfully kept the Sinulog in its truest form. Her undying passion resonates, reaching the deepest emotions of those who hear the steady rhythm of her drum.

Now at 80 years she continues to pass on the veritable legacy to the new generation.

Sto. Niño fluvial parade

The grand spectacle on the Mactan channel drew more pilgrims in spite of the weather disturbance we've experienced for many weeks now. In fact, the coast guard barred small vessels and even small children from joining the fluvial parade. Undaunted, many of them still took part.

The sea was surprisingly calm that early morning. Many attribute it to one of Sto. Niño's doing. The other, an appearance of a rainbow which failed to show because there was no trace of rain which preludes the phenomena.

My third time to join the fluvial procession. Really worth waking up very early.

Scenes at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño on the 2nd day of the novena

The midday sun did not hinder the gathering of more devotees on the second day of the novena. A sea of colorful umbrellas filled the pilgrim center as each mass progressed. All unmindful of the heat, so long as they pay homage to the Holy Child.

Sto. Niño images of all sizes and colors are blessed at the end of each mass. Almost all homes even in the farthest islands in the Philippines have their own version of the Niño.

The Gozos: Bato balani sa Gugma or magnet of love is a prayer-song that fills all churchgoers with emotions when sung. They raise their hands in praise of the Holy Child.

Quick visit to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

A few days before the novenario starts I made a quick visit to the Basilica early this morning to see how things are going in preparation for the annual fiesta. While today everything was in order, expect that it will turn the other way around as more people will be trooping as days near the fiesta every third Sunday of January. Buntings are now up and security measures are a bit more stringent than before.

I consider Saturdays as normal days for the Basilica as compared to Fridays where it is very crowded early morning up to the last novena mass in the evening. Majority of those visitors on Saturdays are tourists and of all them Koreans number the most. Often they come in groups, noisy and loud, disrupting the sacred place. I read recently in the papers that the administrators of the Basilica are enforcing a stricter rule on those going inside: no wearing of sleeveless shirts and shorts.

Tourism has also its downsides.