2nd Day of Kaplag 2009

Holy Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Procession of the image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral to San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish. Enthrone ment of the image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish

April 24, 2009; Friday

Kaplag is a a celebration of the recovery of the miraculous image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu by Juan Camuz, a soldier of the Legazpi Expedition.

Forty-four years later, the Spaniards came back to Cebu. Led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spaniards were now determined to re-claim the islands. The Cebuanos fought back but Legazpi and his men used force to quell opposition. The native village was set on fire and after the smoke cleared, a soldier named Juan de Camuz found a marvelous thing, namely, a child Jesus like those of Flanders, in its little pine cradle and its little loose shirt, such as come from those parts, and a little velvet hat, like those of Flanders and all so well-preserved that only the little cross, which is generally upon the globe that he holds in his hands, was missing.

Legazpi fell on his knees and kissed the image with reverently. He took this as a sign that the heavens will bless the Spanish endeavor. There and then, he ordered that this sacred image be placed with all reverence in the first church that should be founded, and that the church be called Nombre de Jesus (Name of Jesus). The adelantado Legazpi then said: Cebu shall henceforth be called the Sion of the Philippine Islands, and the divine influence of Christianity shall go forth from Cebu to every part of the archipelago, and across the seas to distant shores. This happened on April 28, 1565.

Kaplag is the cebuano term for "finding"

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Travel & Events

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