The recent 460th Fiesta Señor once again demonstrated the unwavering faith and devotion of Cebuanos to the Señor Santo Niño. Among the devotees who took part to make another year of this religious celebration a success is Shantall Jane Librando from Carcar City in Cebu.
Shantall, 25, was one of the volunteer photographers of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu (BMSN) Media Centre for the Fiesta Señor 2025 coverage.
She started volunteering way back in 2019, when she was in her first year of college. As a communication student and a devotee at the same time, she considered this volunteer work as a perfect opportunity to practice her skills in a real-world setting while also serving the Holy Child.
Since then, it has become her vow to volunteer every Fiesta Señor, even after graduating. “It was a way for me to give back to the Señor Santo Niño, who has been such an important part of my life, by doing something I love while also fulfilling my calling to serve Him in whatever way I could,” said Shantall.
BMSN Media Centre is responsible for providing coverage of the Basilica’s activities, including the annual Feast of Señor Santo Niño every January. It also ensures the social media and digital presence of the church to maintain the Basilica's connection with devotees and visitors, especially those who may not be able to attend services in person.
To boost the celebration, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. assisted with the Media Centre’s coverage by providing high-speed connectivity for the livestreaming of the Novena masses and other religious events. The Basilica volunteers, including Shantall, also received communication support from Smart to help them stay connected and seamlessly provide updates while on the field.
“The nature of the Fiesta Señor celebrations, with their vibrant energy and fast-paced activities, means that we need seamless connectivity to send our outputs—whether it’s uploading photos, videos, or live streaming. Without strong connectivity, it would be nearly impossible to keep our online viewers engaged and informed,” said Shantall.
“#SalamatSaInternet, we're transforming how devotion reaches across borders. We're not only posting content, but we're also extending the sacred experience of Fiesta Señor to the global community of devotees who carry the Santo Niño in their hearts despite the distance,” she added.
Shantall believes that everything she has right now, including her career and other opportunities, is a blessing from the Santo Niño. That is why she is determined to continue offering her time, effort, and skills to honor Him.
“This is a commitment I made in my heart that no matter how busy or challenging life gets, I will always make time for the Holy Child. This vow is not just about fulfilling an obligation but about honoring the love and grace He has shown me throughout my life,” shared Shantall.
PLDT and Smart’s full support for the recent Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival 2025 aligns with the PLDT Group’s commitment to fostering Cebuano faith and culture, uniting devotees all over the world through reliable communication and connectivity.
