We Are FUNtastic Philippines! is a group composed of fun-loving Filipinos living worldwide assisted by friends from different countries whose primary objective is to showcase the beauty of the Philippines and invite visitors to its 7,107 islands to experience the FUN and HOSPITALITY of the Filipinos and the Philippines. Mabuhay!
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 17th
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. NinoFestivalinAtlavas, 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 PasigCity.photos by Nelson Gonzales, Earla Arnibal, Raymond Avergonzado, Roberto Labaniego article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for February 2014 issue
