On the 456th anniversary of the first Sto. Niño procession in Cebu, scholars will dig deeper into the devotion of the Holy Child as part of conquest and its incorporation in the belief system of early Visayans.
“Sakalam! Devotion to the Sto. Niño in the Visayas during Spanish colonial rule”, a free blended event with a panel discussion, will be held on May 15, starting 3 p.m., at The Cebu Heritage Hotel, a press release from organizers said.
Public historian and De La Salle Department of History professor, Xiao Chua, will elaborate on the journey of the Sto. Niño from Cebu to the rest of the Philippines.
Vicente Villan, a Visayan and professor of the UP-Diliman Department of History, will discuss the Visayan Pintados’ concept of gaining power through indigenous warfare and how the natives had incorporated the Holy Child into their religious system.
Sociologist-anthropologist Zona Saniel-Amper of the University of San Carlos will give insights on the cultural aspect of the devotion to the Sto. Niño.
There will also be a testimony from a Sto. Niño candle vendor, a “Dance for the Sto. Niño” contest, and trivia quiz with prizes, the press release said.
The event, supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Quincentennial Committee, Museo Sugbo, Basilica del Sto. Niño’s Sto. Niño at 500, USC Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and History, SOAN 2020 Inc., and the Diyandi Heritage Center will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/PalmGrass and on the social media pages of partner organizations.
For more information, those interested may call (032) 412-2438, or email tres_de_abril@palmgrasshotel.com.ph. For updates, like Palm Grass Hotel on Facebook and follow @palmgrasshotel on Instagram.*
