By: Dr Jimmy Lopez
Published: 11 May 2021
The Holy Spirit Parish in St Clair NSW, an Augustinian parish, headed by Fr Michael Belonio OSA (Parish Priest) was the host of the celebration of the 500 years of the arrival of the Santo Niño de Cebú in the Philippines.
Invited participating Santo Niño Prayer groups started to arrive as early as 9:00AM on May 8, 2021. Fr Michael, Allan Laurente and Dr Jimmy Lopez were there checking the sound system for mass and program. The Registration and Transportation committee headed by Elsa Roberto was ready to welcome the Devotees with their special food and strictly enforcing the Covid 19 requirements.
The re-enactment of the First Baptism was very impressive with the cast and costumes of Magellan, Rajah Humabon, Hara Humamay and dancers. It was conceptualised by Fr Jessie Balorio, followed by the procession of beautiful Santo Niño image and Holy Mass.
Fr Michael Belonio, OSA was the main celebrant of the mass and concelebrated by Augustinian friars and priests from the Dioceses of Parramatta and Broken Bay and Archdiocese of Sydney.
Fr Michael thanked all the participating groups and noted those who were not able to join because of the sudden Covid 19 restrictions. Special mention were the groups of ACT Filipino Australian Social and Cultural Association headed by Beewah Lim-Tecson Snelson, Filipiniana Friends Bathurst Central West of Nenita Lopez-Weekes, Friends of Sr Santo Niño Group Illawara Chapter of Vergie Alamil and Marlene Harkness, Santo Niño Marrickville Group of Danny Santos, Santo Niño Nowra Group of Alma Curran, Santo Niño Singleton Group of Frieda Diputado King and The Devotees of Santo Niño Association in Sydney Inc headed by Florence Cuaresma.
The lively homily was delivered by Fr Percival Sevare, OSA who emphasized that we become true devotees of Sr. Santo Niño to the extent that we allow the Holy Child Jesus Christ to live in us, to transform us and to make us like him. That our devotion to Sr. Santo Niño should make us, each of us, like him. That through our devotion to the Holy Child Jesus, the Santo Niño, we become more and more like Jesus to each other.
Before the mass ended the Santo Niño images were blessed and Sarah Canete-Damole (Chair, Steering Committee) thanked all the Devotees of Santo Niño who supported and participated in the celebration.
After the Mass, there was procession with Sinulog dancing, followed by Sadsad or Sinulog ng Sambayanan, and the Ceremonial Cutting of the Cake by Fr Peter Jones OSA (Provincial of the Order of St Augustine-Australasia), Fr Michael Belonio OSA and Sarah Canete-Damole.
All attendees had their packed lunch and enjoyed watching the Program emceed by Paul Falcon. The first number was Josie De Guzman Johnson Group “Young and District Multicultural Association” (dressed in Filipiniana) presenting Sinulog choreographed by Michelle Gadd. Second number was from all time entertainer Ms Lillian de los Reyes. with her Song Katakataka as presented by Club Filipino Illawarra Inc and organized by its Chairperson Miriam McCauley
The next number was the offering of the Cofradia del Sr Santo Niño of Sydney Inc headed by Mila Alforque. It was performed by its Cultural Dance Troupe (dressed in Red with complete head dress) led and choreographed by Fe Limjam dancing Ang Bato Balani sa Gugma (The Magnet of Love) and Sinulog. Another number was from The Filipino Community of St Cecilia’s Wyong headed by Mona Santos which performed also Batobalani and traditional Sinulog dance led by Arlene Byrnes but this time performers were in their elegant White dress..
The next presentations came from Narra Coop Ltd- Minto Prayer Group and The Devotees of Santo Niño in Sydney Inc Dr Jimmy Lopez is the Founding President of Narra Coop Ltd and Minto prayer group had been formed 25 yrs ago with Myrma Lopez as President .. Fe Limjap, a seasoned performer had Mamang Sorbetero, followed by Swing Dance to the tune of Magellan (Story on First Christianity in the Philippines) by Jimmy Lopez and Juliet Byrnes, then Cleo Baltazar singing Usahay and Perhaps. Cleo Baltazar had been Founding Member and Officer of Narra Coop Ltd She had been a regular entertainer in almost all their functions
Presenting another Sinulog Dance presentation is the Santo Niño St Clair Group organized by Sarah Canete-Damole. They had the most number of dancers dressed in Native Filipiniana. The program ended with Sinulog Dance by everyone.
The Steering Committee also thanked the attendance of Santo Niño DeeWhy Group headed by Fr Emman Chuntic, and Sto Nino Rousehill Group headed by Noreen Magno.
The 500 years Santo Niño celebrations had also 9 Day Novena by all participating Santo Niño groups including a Webinar on the Story of the Arrival of the Santo Niño in the Philippines by Fr Eriscon Borre OSA, an Augustinian historian, currently pursuing a doctorate in history in Valladolid, Spain. The webinar was attended by various Santo Niño Groups across Australia.
To capture the activities of the Memorable event, a Souvenir Program was printed. It was organized by Dr Jimmy Lopez, Fr Michael Belonio and Sarah Canete-Damole. There were very impressive messages. From Fr Peter Jones OSA, Prior Provincial, Province of Australasia “This is a wonderful anniversary for all Filipino Catholics and Devotees of Sto Nino trough out the world. More important than the history is the significance of the devotion”. From Ambassador Ma Hellen B De La Vega “This year as we also commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia, let us continue bringing the “blessed infectiousness” of our faith, joy and service to our communities here in Australia, in the Philippines, and all over the world, especially at this time of the pandemic” Likewise the Message of Consul General Ezzedin H Tago “May this 500-year milestone celebration bring peace and joy to everyone and may it be a reminder to all of its significance to both the Philippine history and culture. The souvenir Program contains the beautiful greetings and pictures from the organizing committees, Santo Niño St Clair Group, The Devotees of Santo Niño Associations in Sydney Inc, Cofradia Del Senor Santo Niño of Sydney Inc, Friends of Santo Niño Group Illawarra Chapter, ACT Filipino Australian Social and Cultural Associations, Club Filipino Illawarra Inc, Gerry and Marietta Boyle, Jesper and Ester Simonsen, Ian and Jessica Hobson, Toni and Malou Rivera, Cielo and Edith Sabellano, Elmer and Elizabeth Navales, Santo Niño of Singleton, Young and District Multicultural Association, and Sedgwick Housing Co-operative Ltd. Thank you to Advertisers Mama Lor, Illawarra Medical Services, Picaluna, The Risen Lord Community Australia, Itravel with Susan Clark, Invocare and Mix n Match Bakehouse. Featured also in the Souvenir Program was The First Baptism in the Philippines.
As Noemi Ognilla from Wollonggong said “Its a gorgeous day, thank you Lord Jesus Santo Niño of prayers answered, from Arlene Byrnes from Wyong “Thank you to Luz Roberto for the yummy food, and to our hosts who are very accommodating and hospitable” and from Jose de Guzman Johnson “Great success, congratulations to organizers and participants, God is good. He blessed us with good weather and successful event. We enjoyed and thank you for inviting us and your hospitality”.
VIVA PIT SENYOR! VIVA SENYOR SANTO NIÑO!