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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sto. Niño, Panagbenga festivities canceled

Sto. Niño, Panagbenga festivities canceled

Published Jan 16, 2021 10:39 am

By Christina Hermoso and Zaldy Comanda

Festive ceremonies to mark the Feast of Santo Niño around the country and the Panagbenga Festival this year have been cancelled as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Today, January 17, Roman Catholics will celebrate the Feast of the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus whose image adorns many homes, mostly within the confines of their homes.

(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

The traditional festive rites, elaborate processions, street dancing, and grand parades will not be held this year because of the pandemic.

In lieu of these festivities, many parishes will celebrate solemn holy masses with limited church attendance to observe physical distancing. The masses will also be streamed live. Some will be holding a motorcade of the revered image.

In Metro Manila, the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Santo Niño in Tondo, Manila will be celebrating nine feast masses from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Santo Niño de Pandacan, also in Manila, which was unfortunately gutted by fire on July 10, 2020, will likewise be celebrating fiesta masses at the churchyard (patio) as the church is currently being demolished. Ten holy masses will be offered from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Novena masses were held from January 8 to 16.

At the Basilica Minore de Santo Niño in Cebu City, all public activities had been cancelled. The faithful are discouraged from going to the basilica and are instead advised to join the holy masses which will be streamed live through the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the minor basilica.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos said the faithful’s devotion to the Santo Niño must inspire him to be a missionary.

“Our devotion to the Child Jesus should make us share Him with others and bring other people to Him, especially our family and close friends. Our love for the Child Jesus should inspire us to be missionaries, to spread His Word and, more than that, to live it. A missionary faith makes us available to go for Christ, to work for Christ and to win others for Him, whenever and whatever,” Santos said.

Prayer for children

The bishop, likewise, released a prayer for all children as follows:

“Our dearest and caring Lord Jesus, we lift up to You all the children especially those who are known to us. May they be spared from suffering. May they not lose their innocence. May they be protected from abuse and ill–treament. May they be guided from wrong values and negative examples of their elders. We pray for all the children. May they grow in grace. May they live in dignity. May they enjoy the care of a family. May they have a bright and secure future. We pray for all children. May they live with true love. May they find peace and harmony in their homes. And may they experience acceptance and respect from their community. Our dearest and caring Lord Jesus, we lift to You all the children. We also pray for all of us that we should never be the cause of these little ones who believe in You to stumble and fall” (Matthew 18,6). Amen.”

Church leaders encourage the faithful to offer prayers to the Santo Niño particularly this month which is observed as the Month of the Holy Child.

Panagbenga cancelled

In Baguio City, Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced the cancelation of the Panagbenga Flower Festival this year, based on the decision of the officers of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI).

Magalong met with the BFFFI execom on Saturday, with both parties agreeing to cancel the festival. They cited health and safety of residents as the primary reason for the cancelation, noting the entry of the UK variant of COVID-19 in the country and the pending roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Last year, the 25th Panagbenga was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 scare.

In December last year, Magalong approved in principle the conduct of limited events of the Panagbenga Flower Festival that was supposed to start next month until the first week of March to help boost the local tourism industry.

The Panagbenga owns the distinction of being the only festival in the country that was included in the elite list of festivals in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association.

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