'Miracle' baby who looks like Sto. Niño joins Sinulog Festival every year dressed as Holy Child

A child who looks like Sto. Niño has been joining the Sinulog Festival every year dressed as the Holy Child.

According to an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the child is named Niña as her mother, Mitch, considers her a miracle baby gifted to her after praying to Sto. Niño.

"Sabi ng doktor imposible po akong magkaanak kasi mababa 'yung matres ko," Mitch said.

("The doctor said it's impossible for me to have a child because of the condition of my uterus.")

Despite this, Mitch did not give up on having children. She prayed the novena every Friday and completed the nine masses leading up to the Sinulog Festival.

"Wala akong ibang hiling kundi ang baby. Sabi ko talaga kay Sr. Sto. Niño na kapag nagkaroon ako ng baby girl, ipapangalan ko talaga Niña," she said.

("I did not wish for anything else but a baby. I told myself that if Sr. Sto. Niño gave me a baby girl, I would name her Niña.")

Four years later, Sto. Niño heard her prayers and Mitch got pregnant.

"Nabuntis na ako pagkatapos ng novena mass. 'Yung papa ng baby, umuwi sa Cebu galing Australia January, nalaman ko na buntis ako February. Masayang masaya po kasi natupad po 'yung hiling ko," she said.

("I got pregnant after the novena mass. The child's father came to Cebu from Australia in January. Then I found out I was pregnant in February. I was so happy because my wish came true.")

When it's time to deliver the baby, however, Mitch's faith got tested again.

"Dineclare na ng doktor na patay na, wala na 'yung heartbeat ng bata. Pinikit ko lang 'yung mata ko at nag-pray na, 'Sr. Sto. Niño wala akong ibang hiling,'" she recalled.

("The doctor declared that the baby no longer had a heartbeat. I closed my eyes and prayed, 'Sr. Sto. Niño, this is my only wish.'")

The baby survived. Mitch's family was overjoyed and considered Niña a blessing. Her brother MJ vowed to parade the child every year at the Sinulog Festival to express their gratitude.

MJ then noticed that the child closely resembles Sto. Niño. The child has curly hair, round eyes, thin eyebrows, tall nose, small mouth, and reddish lips.

"Si Niña, hawig talaga siya ni Sto. Niño kasi matangos ang kanyang ilong, 'yung korte ng kanyang mukha at saka 'yung mga labi niya," MJ said.

("Niña really looks like Sto. Niño because of her nose, her face shape and her lips.")

Mitch's family takes Niña every year to the Sinulog Festival. They even have Sto. Niño dresses made for the child to wear.

"Dinadamitan talaga namin siya ng Sto. Niño kasi 'yun po ang panata namin. Pinapasan ko dito sa balikat ko para magmukha talagang rebulto," MJ said.

("We dress her up as Sto. Niño because that's our vow. I carry her on my shoulders so she looks like a statue.")

This year, Niña joined the parade on the eve of the Sinulog Festival, where she indulged devotees with flying kisses and waves.

"'Yung pag-flying kiss saka 'yung pagkaway, ako na 'yung nagturo. Pero 'yung pagkaway-kaway sa kamay, siya na po kasi pag mag-attend kami ng misa, kumakaway kasi 'yung mga tao. Tapos sumasabay na din po siya," Mitch said.

("I taught her the flying kiss and wave. But the raising of the arms, she learned that on her own because when we attend mass, people do it and she does it with them.")

According to Fr. John Ion Miranda, dressing up children as Sto. Niño is part of the devotion and tradition in Cebu.

"It gives us a glimpse na 'yung role talaga ng parents is the first teacher of faith, of love, and hope," he said. "For the church wala tayong problema dun [we don't have a problem with it] as long as it strengthens our faith in Sto. Niño. Ilalapit natin ang mga kabataan kay Sr. Sto. Niño or sa Panginoong Hesus natin [We lift up the children to Sr. Sto. Niño or to our Lord Jesus]."

But he also reminded everyone that images, icons, and statues are representations of God and are not to be worshipped by themselves.

"It give us hope na kahit anumang pagsubok sa ating journey still God is with us. The Sto. Niño is the image of the Emmanuel, God is with us. Sa buhay po natin maraming mga pagsubok, but let us remember that God is with us in our journey."

("It gives us hope that whatever difficulties we face, God is with us. The Sto. Niño is the image of the Emmanuel. In our lives, we will be faced with obstacles. But we should always remember that God is with us in our journey.")

—MGP, GMA Integrated News