Devotion to the Holy Child (Santo Niño) is nationwide. Each province and city has festivities devoted to the Sto. Niño.
The most awaited is held in Cebu City every third week of January, the Sinulog festival. Thousands of local and foreign tourists flock to Cebu City to watch the colorful parade, the participants chanting ‘Pit Señor’ along the way.
The Santo Niño de Cebu is said to be a gift to the queen of Cebu from Ferdinand Magellan, who landed on the island in 1521.
Another much anticipated Santo Niño event is the procession and exhibit by the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus. Composed mostly of fashion figures, the Congregacion is led by Ben Farrales, Noli Hans, Dom Martin (Gang Gamez), and the late Mel Chionglo.
The exhibit in Manila attracts thousands of Sto. Niño devotees.
Shown on this page are some of the Sto. Niño images on exhibit, some borrowed from the collection of your columnist. — RKC