Cebu Mayor Rama Leads Unveiling Of Marker For 450th Discovery Of Sto. Nino Image

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on Thursday led the unveiling of the commemorative marker and planting of a time capsule at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in Cebu City to culminate the 450th Kaplag celebration or the discovery of the image of the Sto. Nino.

Kaplag is a Cebuano term for “finding” or “discovery.” The celebration refers to the historic finding of the religious relic, the image of the Santo Niño, on April 28, 1565.

The image is believed to be brought by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 as a gift to Rajah Humabon and his wife, Amihan, who were converted to the Christian faith.

The image was discovered by one of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s soldiers, Juan Camus, in a partially burned hut.

Rama was assisted by bishops and priests belonging to the Augustinian order in planting the time capsule which contained among others a painting and a memorabilia that will be opened in 2065.

A street parade with some 400 participants was held from Fuente Osmena to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The celebration on Thursday also commemorates the 450th year of Augustinian presence in the Philippines, as well as 50th anniversary of the Sto. Nino church as having been elevated to the honorific title, “Basilica Minore.”

“Basilica Minore” is a title conferred in 1965 by Pope Paul VI through his Papal Legate Archbishop Ildebrando Cardinal Antonuitti. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS