Online Balita on Jan 26th, 2015
This is the image of Sto. Nino outside the Balyuan Convention Center in Tacloban City that has a possible dried blood on its two right fingers that the Archdiocese of Palo wants to be investigated. Sto. Niño is the patron saint of this city but its celebration is on June 30 each year. (Nestor L. Abrematea)
One week after the historic and successful visit of Pope Francis to the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte, an image of the Santo Nino or Infant Jesus stirred controversy here as it has possible dried blood in the index and middle fingers of its right hand.
The image was discovered Friday by this writer and DYVL Aksyon radio announcer and The Freeman correspondent Miriam Garcia Desacada who dropped by the Balyuan Convention Center where the office of the City General Services is located.
City General Services head Evelyn Cordero, a Santo Nino Parish religious worker, also saw the image and had it cleaned it for unknown reasons.
But the blood remained there.
City Hall employee Benjamin Bernido said he is not aware who placed the image of Santo Nino outside the convention center.
Santo Nino is the patron saint here. It celebrates His feast day on June 30.
This city embraces the Santo Nino as according to legend, a cholera epidemic disappeared after the image arrived.
Meanwhile, the faithful has asked the Church to investigate the image.
However, Palo Archdiocesan Social Media Director Rev. Fr. Amadeo Alvero said there are steps to be taken.
It will then be reported to the archbishop who can commission a group to further investigate the matter.
Santo Nino Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Oliver Mazo said he and other priests from the parish were instructed last Friday at around 8:30 p.m. by Santo Nino Parish Priest Rev. Monsignor Alex Opiniano to go to the convention center and saw the image of the Santo Nino.