The Feast of Sto. Nino

The religious population in the Philippines is one of the most unique in Asia, as the country is predominantly Christian. A majority of them are Roman Catholics, whose beliefs range not only from simple prayers and worship, but also devotion to different icons including the saints, the church and it’s leaders.
This month the whole of the Philippines celebrates the feast of Santo Niño, which celebrates a Christ child-like statue. The statue of the Christ Child image started in the 17^th Century in Prague, where it was presented as a wedding gift to a Spanish woman who wedded a Czech nobleman in the 17th century. The statue was handed down to the Carmelite sisters and from there the statue was associated with miraculous healings and protection of the Church during wars.

Among the places where Santo Niño festivals being celebrated around the country are Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, Binanog Festival in Lambunao, Iloilo, Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City, NegrosOccidental, Makato Sto. Nino Festival in Makato, Aklan, Kinaradto Festival, Buenavista, Guimaras, Batan Ati-Ati MalakaraFestivalin Batan, Aklan, Atlavas Sto. NinoFestivalin Atlavas, Aklan, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipaland Devotional Festival in Ibajay, Aklan, Dinagsa Ati-AtihanFestivalin Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Hinirugyaw Festivalin Calinog, Iloilo, Sto. Nino de LakbayawFestivalinTondo, Manila, Buling Buling Festivalin Pandacan, Manila,Pajotan de Sto. Nino Festival in CaloocanCity, Biniray Festival in Romblon, Romblon, Bambino Festival in Pasig City.photos by Nelson Gonzales, Earla Arnibal, Raymond Avergonzado, Roberto Labaniego
article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for February 2014 issue

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