by Telly G. Ocampo
Waking up to the rhythm of Sinulog
Bandilyo 1116 of Ted Ayeng at 6 in the morning over dyTR is my new morning ritual. The background music starts with the beat of the season. First week of January was the feast of the Black Nazarene and this week is the rhythm of the Sinulog. I also look forward to Bishop Abet’s nuggets of gold to start the day.
My schedule of TV viewing has changed. DYTR is from 6 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. No change of radio station dials. So at 4 I switch on to television (TV) for national and international news up to “Can’t Buy Me Love”. Dili na ko kaabot sa “Senior High” kay anang orasa, katulogon na gyud ko kaayo ug bug-at na gyung ang akong mga mata.
The beat of the Sinulog buoys my spirit. When I was younger, in my 60s, and when my budget and time allowed, I participated in the procession for thanksgiving. I’ve heard from my Bff Ardy nga nagsayaw siya sa sinulog for intercession for his son Gerrymar when he was still an infant.
I also had that same experience for my husband who had to be urgently flown to Cebu Doctors Hospital. Ten days after the birth of our youngest daughter, Irene, in Medina Misamis Oriental, my husband was suddently paralyzed. Everything was normal except that from chest down he felt numb. We had to fly him to Cebu. And when he was wheeled into the laboratory for a stent procedure, I rushed to the Santo Niño church for intercession until several hours later when the result was available. It was transverse myelitis with viral origin. It was only then that the right medicine was applied. In 15 days we were released from the hospital. My husband was back to his normal self.
Yesterday was the 9th day prayer after my brother Junior’s death. My daughter, Irene, who is helping me at home with chores, became really busy with what we call as the palakaw sa pangadye sa patay. Added to this, is her obligation as a mother. She has to accompany her 2 daughters to school and back home. In between, she had to rush home to sew her daughter’s gown. Amber, her daughter, actively took part in a school activity at the Holy Name University Elementary Department. The school had its own share of the celebration of Sinulog, and my grand daughter, Amber was chosen as Queen Juana, from among her batchmates.
I’m happy that the school celebrates Sinulog and imparts to the learners its significance in our Catholic Faith. I hope that the radio lanes will air back the Sandugo beat which was phased out by the present administration in the capitol. Dili unta usbon ba. Ingon ana diay???.
My only hope now is dyTR to bring back the old Sandugo beat. The days before Sandugo Street dancing, the Sandugo rhythm was brought to light in the air waves. I think I know the person in the capitol who was responsible for the change.
Pit sinyor!!!
The queens from the different grades in the elementary level
Queen Juana in the person of Amber Alaan Ocampo (the young girl seated at the foreground and bringing the statue of the Child Jesus).