REFLECTION PAPER

Sinulog is one of the grandest festival in the Philippines. The festival is held annually on
the third Sunday of January in Cebu, City to honor the St. Nino or the child Jesus who happens to
be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu. The celebration usually lasts for nine days.
During those days, there will be novena masses and processions. Which I had experienced last
January 16, 2019 (the 7th day novena). In this paper I will be telling you my experience during the
novena and what lesson or realization I've learned.

Originally, I lived in Palompon, Leyte. I just went here in Cebu to continue my studies. In
my 19 years of existence I've never been in a sinulog festival or I never experience celebrating
sinulog festival. I don't know what will happen during the festival. I just knew that there would be
a 9-day novena masses. So, last January 16, 2019 at 5:30-6:30 pm. I attended the 7th day novena
mass and that was my first. I don't even have a single idea on what to do so I just followed my
classmates everywhere they go and whatever they do. When we arrived at the church I was
surprised it's because there are too many people! The place was crowded and I started feeling bad
because I never been into a huge crowd and if I miss to stick with my classmates I will surely be
lost and that's the last thing I want to happen. You know what's the hardest part? Is when we tried
to enter the church. It's like we are going in a war. We literally throw ourselves in the crowd and
people are so wild, pushing and pulling each other and some are shouting. I got stucked in the
middle of a wild crowd, I don't know what's happening and I don't k ow what to do if not because
of my classmates I would really freak out. Luckily, we had entered the church successfully and
that' the best part.

The mass was led by Fr. Leo G. Alaras. The gospel was Mark 1:29-39. The homily was all
about being thankful. Fr. Leo shared some of his stories in life and I've learned so many things by
just listening to his story. I've also witness different traditions during the mass and one of those is
my favorite, like when people sang together the “Bato Balani” while waving their hands. With that
simple gesture, you would really see the devotion of those people to Santo Nino. After the mass
I've realized so many things. Like people are so devoted that even though they were busy, they
still find time to go to the church. They do not mind the struggle upon entering the church. The
"siksikan", pushing and pulling, they endured all of that just to show their gratitude towards the
Santo Nino.