Senor Santo Nino de Cebu

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart) (12:58): By leave, I move my motion in an amended form:

That this house—

(a) acknowledges the history of the origin of the Senor Santo Nino de Cebu image;

(b) acknowledges the significant beliefs that the people of the Filipino Catholic faith have in the religious image of the statue of Santo Nino;

(c) acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices the people of the Philippines made during World War II;

(d) appreciates the Festival of the Senor Santo Nino and the great celebrations and the traditional foods that are enjoyed on this day of celebration; and

(e) gives thanks to the Filipino population of Port Pirie and surrounds for this year's festival which was held on 25 January.

Today I am proud to discuss the region of the Santo Nino, the image of the Santo Nino, which arrived in Cebu in 1521. I will also talk about the religious belief of the people of the Philippines and their struggles over many years, particularly in the Second World War. The Senor Santo Nino de Cebu is a Catholic title for the child Jesus, associated with a religious image of the Christ child. It is the oldest Christian artefact in the Philippines, originally a gift from Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The Santo Nino de Cebu was originally produced by Flemish artisans, according to legend, based on a version of Teresa of Avila of the 16^th century Discalced Carmelite mystic.

The image is replicated in various parts of the country with different titles, and the Christ child has become one of the most beloved and recognisable Filipino cultural items. The annual dancing feast of the Sinulog is held on the third Sunday of January every year in his honour. Today, the original image is permanently encased behind bulletproof glass inside the chapel within the Basilica del Santo Nino.

Debate adjourned.

Sitting suspended from 13:00 to 14:00.