Fiesta del Sto. Niño starts today

MANILA, Philippines - This year marks the 34th year of the annual Fiesta del Sto. Niño event. The event is organized by members of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus, led by founding chairman and designer Ben Farrales and the 2012-2014 officers, namely president Jesse Nell, VP Steve de Leon, secretary Dennis Maturan, treasurer Venson Nobrera and board members Dionesio Delima, Ramon Ilagan Jr., Ricardo Miranda and Jose Vera.

Other members are Ogee Atos, Generoso Bayabo, Mario Buela, Mel Chionglo, Abraham de Castro, Efren de Jose, John Erwin Enriquez, Fernando Esguerra, Manolo Estrella, Antonio Galang, Manuel Hans, Serafin Layacan, Roberto Logarta, German Malabanan, Roman Navarro, Joselito Pamilar, and Leonard Villegas.

This year’s theme is “Sto. Nino, Sandigan ng Pananampalatayang Pilipino.” Red, yellow, and green are the colors adopted for this year’s celebration.

Formal opening rites are today at 4:30 p.m. at the PNB Long Gallery. The Sinulog dance of Cebu, the BulingBuling dance of Pandacan and Caracol of the Caviteños will provide a dramatic entrance for the solemn enthronement of the Congregacion’s well-loved image, the “Patron.”

The first day novena and High Mass are to be presided over by Rev. Deogracias Yñiguez, DD., bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan. Proclamation and institution of the Hermanos Mayores will follow. Capping the day’s event is the formal opening of the Sto. Niño exhibit and the blessing of images.

Exhibit runs from Jan. 18 to 25, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with daily novena and Masses starting at 7 p.m. On Jan. 26, the exhibit opens from 9:30 a.m. and ends at 12 noon. It will be followed by the egress of images starting at 1 p.m. with an anticipated Sunday Mass at 5 p.m. The Fiesta Mass will be officiated by Rev. Broderick Pabillo, DD, auxiliary bishop of Manila.

On Jan. 27, the grand procession of more than 250 carrozas bearing different Sto. Nino images starts at 3 p.m. The procession will start at the Philtrade grounds with the traditional route traversing the stretch of Roxas Blvd. up to Quirino Grandstand. The crowd is expected to stay for the awarding of “Best Theme” and “Best Decorated” carrozas, together with best in group effort and the Ati-Atihan competition.

All activities are open to the public.

For information, call Daisy or Jesse at 525-9126 or 585-7797.