January in the Philippines is a very important month for the Roman Catholics. We commemorate the Feasts of the Black Nazarene and the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus).
The most famous festivals happen in Quiapo, Tondo, Aklan, and Cebu. Pilgrims flock to these places to show their love, devotion, and penance.
The Santo Niño or Child Jesus |
For more than 400 years, the Philippines was colonized by Spain which brought Catholicism to the country. Tradition, culture, and society have been ingrained by what we have learned centuries ago.
The first known image of the Santo Niño in the country was brought by the Magellan Expedition in 1521.
It was given as a gift to the wife of Raja Humabon, Hara Humamay on the occasion of their conversion to Christianity. They were renamed Carlos after the Spanish king and Juana, the name of King Carlos’ mother.
According to historical narrative, this image was lost and was discovered by a Spanish soldier during the Legazpi Expedition in 1565.
The image is now displayed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Cebu. The Sinulog Festival honors thr Child Jesus. The celebration happens during the third Sunday of January.
We praise through prayers, parades, singing, dancing or just being with family and friends.
Here are some images of the Child Jesus that are showcased yearly in Ayala Mall at Cebu City during the annual Sinulog Festival.
It depicts the Sto. Niño in different costumes dressed according to what the owner wants. Some icons are decades-old even hundreds-old. They’ve been passed on to family from generations. They’re displayed in homes, offices, establishments, or even in vehicles. The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus cannot be measured.
Visiting any Santo Niño exhibit would produce wonder at the artistry and faithfulness these implies.
The photo gallery below celebrates the majesty of Sr. Santo Niño.
Here are some of the different images of Senyor Santo Niño.
Representations of Jesus
- Santo Niño de Cebú, a Filipino representation of the Child Jesus
- Santo Niño de Atocha, a Hispanic representation of the Child Jesus
- Santissimo Gesu de Malines (Infant Jesus of Mechelen), a Dutch representation of the Child Jesus that greatly resembles the image from Cebú
- Niño Dios of Mexico, a Mexican representation of the Infant Jesus
- Divino Niño, a Colombian representation of the Infant Jesus
- Santo Bambino of Aracoeli, an Italian representation of the Infant Jesus
- Santo Niño de la Salud (Holy Infant of Good Health), a Child Jesus depiction from Morelia (Michoacán State), Mexico
- Santo Niño Jesus de la Praga (Infant Jesus of Prague), a French representation of the Child Jesus
Philippines (places where there are sto. nino chapels)
- Santo Niño, Cagayan
- Santo Niño, Samar
- Santo Niño, South Cotabato
- Santo Niño de Tondo Parish, Tondo, Manila
- Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu City, Cebu
- Santo Niño, a barangay in Bogo, Cebu
- Santo Niño, a barangay in San Felipe, Zambales Province
- Santo Nino, Catbalogan, a baraŋgay in Catbalogan, Samar Province
- Santo Niño, a barangay in Marikina City