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Stained Glass Window of the Santo Nino, St Joseph Cathedral, Romblon, Phils.

maryan54 > albums > Romblon:St Joseph Cathedral

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Romblon province annually hosts its own unique festivities in honor of the Santo Nino in the capital town of Romblon. The Biniray Festival, as this festivity is called, is filled with dancing, music, and a carnival atmosphere. Its origin dates back well over 400 years to the earliest days of European colonialism in the islands. It has its roots in the adoration of the Santo Nino statue of Cebu which, along with Magellan's Cross, is the oldest and most celebrated Christian relic in the Philippines. Crafted by Flemish artisans, the statue was brought to Cebu by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. According to tradition, an Augustinian friar had commissioned an exact replica of the Cebuano Santo Nino and the galleon carrying the statue stopped over in Romblon on its way to Madrid. But by the time the ship attempted to leave Romblon Bay for Spain, typhoon winds forced the vessel to turn back. The icon was then taken off the boat and brought to Romblon's Catholic Church, where a Mass was offered. At the conclusion of the mass, when the priest and congregation attempted to return the statue to the boat, the statue miraculously could not be moved. The Santo Nino resided in St. Joseph Cathedral for over four centuries, but was stolen from the cathedral in 1991 and has not yet been recovered. For the past decade, a replica of the statue has been venerated by thousands of festival-goers who participate in the celebration, which is held the second weekend of January. The fiesta is highlighted by a flotilla of vessels that circle Romblon Bay seven times, marking the Spanish galleon's fruitless attempts to remove the Santo Nino from the province. This is followed by a colorful parade of marchers adorned with flowers and brightly painted costumes and faces. They accompany the Santo Nino as it is carried through the streets of the capital aboard a palanquin, a litter held aloft on bamboo poles. (Taken from http://romblon.homestead.com/travelogueb iniray.html)

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1 comment

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    • photo of fdguin
    • I went to Cebu for the first time this Feb 2008 and yes, the most celebrated feast and Saint there is the Sto Nino de Cebu. Your story above just explained the roots around that story. Thanks!

    • said fdguin

    • 2008.05.03 at 21:16:11 PDT

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