By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE FEAST of Sto. Niño all over the country is over. But per observation, of all the celebrations nationwide in honor of the Child Jesus, Cadiz City’s Dinagsa Festival stood out with a meaningful Niño fiesta. Not because of “lamhitanay (smearing) all you can” by more than half a million revelers, but because of “Paralympiada”.
Paralympiada was a sports and cultural fiesta for kids with special needs held two days before Dinagsa’s highlight on Jan. 29.Such was initiated by the Special Education (SpEd) Center of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Cadiz City. And for 25 years already, Paralympiada has been part of Cadiz’s Dinagsa.
This year, physically and mentally challenged kids from different SpEd centers in Negros and Siquijor islands indulged themselves in special sporting and cultural events. And, really, they’ve got anyone’s attention.
In an interview, Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante, Jr. said, “At first, daw hampang-hampang lang gid na. Lately, however, we realized nga ang matuod-tuod gali nga kahulugan sang replica ni Sto. Niño amo ang mga inosente nga kabataan.”
“Thus, giving an avenue for these special kids all over Negros and Siquijor in our Dinagsa is quite fulfilling and meaningful,” the mayor punctuated.
BE CHILD-LIKE, BE ‘BLAMELESS’
In essence, celebrating the feast of Sto. Niño ain’t about Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Dinagsa or whatsoever dance drama or street parade. Rather, we need to be thankful for having Sto. Niño (always) in our midst to remind us to be child-like or Christ-like.
Because to be child-like is figuratively speaking having a heart of a child duly characterized by two significant words – humility and obedience. And through Christ’s humility and obedience to God, we’re saved.
Besides, the Bible (in Matthew 18:4) says, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Why?
To be a child is to be “blameless”. Simple as that. And until now, nothing can beat the humility of a child. Therefore, let’s be circumspect in honoring the Niño.
Street or Ati-atihan dancing ain’t bad. It’s our way of expressing our faith and thanksgiving to the Lord, especially to the Child Jesus.However, with depth let’s always reflect the “banality” of our actions towards a certain celebration in honor of the Niño.
The Catholic church reminds us that the feast of Sto. Niño has no connection with the history of Ferdinand Magellan’s landing in Cebu in 1521. Neither with the baptism of Queen Juana and her husband, King Humabon.
Rather, we celebrate the feast of the Niño to significantly remember Christ’s infancy and childhood worthy to be honored and glorified.
EMPOWERING SPECIAL KIDS
Mayor Bading’s act of allowing Paralympiada to be one of the highlights of Dinagsa was kinda “hailable”. Really, it’s a sort of empowering special kids the other way around with religious piquancy. More so that in the Philippines now, children with physical and mental disabilities are considered the most marginalized sector. However, they, too, need to be treated like ordinary kids.
Hats off to Cong. Rowena Guanzon of P3PWD Party-list for her all-out support. Likewise, thanks to Gov. Bong Lacson and 2nd District’s Cong. Thirdy Marañon for being present in this unique activity. Negros Occidental’s leaders are now keen about giving “space and time” to kids with special needs.
And, perhaps, Cadiz’s SpEd Center and Mayor Bading are “models” for this noteworthy endeavor leading to a “taboo no more” regarding special kids. Hope other towns and cities in NegOcc will follow suit soon.
‘PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY’
Let it be known that as of Nov. 9, 2021, around the universe, per UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Fund), there were 240 million kids living with physical and mental disabilities.Dealing with them is quite challenging.
But Rosangela Berman-Beiler, UNICEF Global Lead on Disability, stressed “There’s always a story behind every statistic – a child with hopes, fears, potential and ambitions.” Hence, respecting the “principle of equality” in all segments of life must be observed in dealing with special kids.
Also, they need to be regarded with development opportunities. In doing so, we, the normal people, can really cause positive impact(s) both in their physical and mental health.
Mayor Bading, therefore, is a “hero” in his own humble way. On record, he’s the only mayor in NegOcc that allows this kind of special event in their annual fiesta purposely for special kids.
And his basis ain’t simple – his faith in Sto. Niño. adiz is beyond blessed for having an open-minded mayor. Having Paralympiada in Dinagsa Festival is one great accomplishment worthy of emulation and recognition.
My salutation to Mayor Bading and DepEd-Cadiz!/PN
