Every year at about this time, devotees of the Sto. Nino de Romblon come over to Saint Joseph Cathedral to leave their personal images of the Child Jesus. This spiritual activity isa called Tonton, a Romblomanon word for lowering the Senor Santo Nino image from the pedestal.

Tonton will be held today, coinciding with the scheduled visit of President Aquino. It is the beginning of the week-long feast for the Child Jesus believed to have cured sick Romblomanons and devotees as well as answered most of their petitions and prayers.

Leaving the images at the foot of the altar of the miraculous Senor Santo Nino is believed to bring about blessings and other spiritual nourishment.

Among the devotees are couple Salcing and Fely who lived near the Provincial Capitol grounds, about 10 minutes away from the Cathedral.

Salcing, a retired government employee, said they decided to go early this year ahead of Tonton to avoid the human flood that will fill the streets and the Cathedral.

Besides, security will be tight near the Cathedral as President Aquino is scheduled to visit the capitol town this morning limiting the streets available to the public, the couple explained.

The Cathedral is just across the Romblon Public Theater where a ceremonial inauguration, to be led by the President, of a health facility for the province will be held.

One example, Salcing said, was the sparing of Romblon from Yolanda’s wrath which most people attributed to the Senor Santo Nino’s intervention.

His wife Fely, also a government employee, remembered that masses and a procession were held days before the forecasted passage of the monster storm.

Another intercession by the Senor Santo Nino, the couple said, was probably the little impact of Typhoon Ruby when it crossed the province last year.

Tonton will start around 3 pm this afternoon: a mass will be held before the image will be taken down and paraded in nearby streets. After the procession, there will be pahalik, where devotees and petitioners are allowed to kiss the image.

This practice will be observed throughout the feast. On Janaury 9, there will be a kick-off activity for the another important event: the Biniray Festival where a fluvial parade will be held in Romblon bay again in honor the Senor Santo Nino. (LP/LBR/PIA4B)