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| Photo Credit: http://cebu.sunstar.com.ph/ |
To Filipinos, the first month of the year is not just for the celebration of the New Year. As a country dominated by the Christian religion, January is also the month of Santo Niño or the Holy Infant Jesus.
The Origin
The wooden image of the Sto. Niño is the oldest religious image in our country. It is made by Flemish artisans, was brought by Ferdinand Magellan, and given as a baptismal gift to Queen Juana. 44 years later when the big part of Cebu was set on fire, one of the Spanish soldiers found the image of Sto. Niño in a burnt house, unscratched. Since then, the image has been treated as a patron saint by the Cebuanos. At present, only a replica decorated with gold and precious stones is displayed inside the Basilica Minor del Santo Niño while the miraculous image is kept in the Parish convent.
List of Sto. Niño Festivals
The following are the various spiritual-cum-cultural festivals celebrated in the first month of the year:
1. Ati-Atihan Festival
Where: Kalibo, Aklan
When: 3rd Sunday of January
2. Dinagyang Festival
Where: Iloilo City
When: January 20 – 22
3. Binanog Festival
Where: Lambunao, Iloilo
When: January 10 – 16
4. Sinulog (Kabankalan) Festival
Where: Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
When: January 10 – 16
5. Makato Sto. Niño Festival
Where: Poblacion Makato, Aklan
When: January 15
6. Kahimunan Festival
Where: Libertad, Butuan City
When: January 16
7. Kinaradto Festival
Where: Buenavista, Guimaras
When: January 16
8. Altavas Sto. Niño Festival
Where: Poblacion Altavas, Aklan
When: January 21 – 22
9. Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipal Festival
Where: Ibajay, Aklan
When: January 24 – 25
10. Hinirugyaw Festival
Where: Calinog, Iloilo
When: January 30 – February 6
11. Sto. Niño Festival
Where: Malolos, Bulacan
When: Last Sunday of January
12. Lakbayaw Festival
Where: Tondo, Manila
When: 3rd Sunday of January
13. Dinagsa Ati-Atihan Festival
Where: Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
When: January 24 – 30
14. Sinulog Festival
Where: Cebu City
When: 3rd Sunday of January
Aside from the Philippines, devotees of Sto. Niño are also found in various countries including Spain, Mexico, and Peru. It also has different names per country like Infant of Prague in the Czech Republic, El Santo Niño de Atocha in Mexico, and Santo Bambino di Ara Coeli in Rome.
Have you experienced attending any of these events? Or do you know more festivals honoring Sto. Niño? You can share your thoughts and experiences on the comments section provided below.
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