Every January of the year, We Filipinos celebrate the feast of the baby Jesus in the name of Sr. Sto Niño.
The history of Sr. Sto Niño
The Santo Niño de Cebú is a Roman Catholic title of the Child Jesus associated with a religious image of the Christ Child widely venerated as miraculous by Filipino Catholics. It is the oldest Christian artifact in the Philippines, originally a gift from explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his chief consort on account of their Christian baptism in 1521.
The dark wood statue measures approximately twelve inches tall and is carved in the Flemish style. It depicts the Child Jesus, with a serene countenance, in the attitude and dress of a Spanish monarch. The statue bears imperial regalia, including a golden crown, globus cruciger, and various scepters, wears fine vestments, and possesses jewelry mostly offered by devotees over several centuries.
Pope Paul VI granted a decree of Canonical Coronation “Aurora Praenuntia Felicis Successes” dated 25 March 1965 that was granted to the Cardinal Ildebrando Antoniutti which was executed on 28 April 1965. The same Pontiff later raised its shrine to the status of Minor Basilica on 2 May 1965 via his Papal bull Cubanula Religionis to mark the fourth centenary of Christianity in the Philippine Islands.
The image is replicated in various parts of the country with different titles and is one of the most beloved and recognizable Filipino cultural icons. The annual dancing feast of Sinulog is held on 16 January every year in its honor. Today, the original image is permanently encased behind bulletproof glass inside its chapel within the Basilica del Santo Niño.
(Images search from Google and screenshot by me, History also copy from Google for the transparency of information)
Sr. Sto Niño is originated from Cebu, but here in our province we also celebrate his feast. We go to church for the mass and blessings of statues and after that, the Sinulog came in. Dancing the statues and also the babies to offer and ask for good health, and guidance for the whole year and so on.
My family, every year we attend the Sinulog because there's this belief that if you start Dancing at Sinulog you should be doing it yearly and nothing won't lose if we believe right? We wear red that symbolizes prosperity.
We Filipinos have many beliefs, and I'm used to it. I see to it that we can participate even my husband still not feeling well and I too, I have a cough right now and it is so unpleasant for always woof, woof inside the church, well we just set somewhere outside the church to not disturb the others.
I'm thankful for the gift of life that God gave us, and in exchange, we should become a blessing to everyone.
Viva Pit Senyor!
Here in my town, our patron is also Sr. to. Niño, due to covid breakout, the only highlight was the fluvial procession. I missed seeing the different colors of the costumes of Sinulog dancers, the fun, and most of all the crowd.
Wow hindi ko po alam na ganun po pala history ng Sto. Nino, nasa Cebu pa po ba yung original na statue ng Sto. Nino? Ang Saya po ng sinulog festival dati nung wala pang pandemic kase yung mga tao tlaga grabe yung devotion Kay Sto.Nino pero ngayon po ata simba na lng sabay yung iba tinatry padin maghanda para sa Fiesta.
Viva Pit Senyor! Here in my town, our patron is also Sr. to. Niño, due to covid breakout, the only highlight was the fluvial procession. I missed seeing the different colors of the costumes of Sinulog dancers, the fun, and most of all the crowd.