THE FEAST OF THE SANTO NINO

 photo taken from photobucket.com

Like the feast of the Black Nazarene, the feast of Santo Nino ( holy child) is also celebrated every January. The feast of Santo Nino is usually celebrated every third Sunday of January. The Spaniards were the ones who introduced the Santo Nino to the Filipinos. 
When Magellan reached the Philippines in 1521, he introduced Christianity to Filipinos. He convert many Filipinos into Christians. The gift given by Magellan to Hara Amihan, the wife of Rajah Humabon  ( the chieftain of Cebu) on her baptism is a wooden image of child Jesus (Santo Nino). Magellan died a few weeks later in a battle with Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, his men returned to Spain. In 1565, another group of Spaniards arrived in Cebu, Philippines, headed by explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. One of his men, Juan Camus found the image of Santo Nino inside a wooden box.
Santo Nino is the prime of all Christian relics in the Philippines. In fact the image that was found by Juan Camus was enshrined in San Agustin Church in Cebu which is now known as the Minore Basilica del Santo Nino. 
There were many places in the Philippines wherein they celebrate festival in honor of Senor Santo Nino.
The Philippines' biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Senor Santo Nino is the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.

FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES  IN HONOR OF THE  SANTO NINO;


ATI-ATIHAN Festival -  held annually in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January.
SINULOG Festival - held annually in Cebu City, Philippines. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January.
DINAGYANG Festival - held annually during the fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City, Philippines.
BINANOG Festival - held every second Sunday of January in Lambunao, Iloilo.
KABANKALAN SINULOG Festival - in Kabankalan, Negros celebrated annually during second Sunday of January. 
HINIRUGYAW Festival - held every January 30 - February 6 in Calinog, Iloilo.
BANSUDANI Festival - in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro every January 17 to 19.
KINARADTO Festival - celebrated annually in Buenavista, Guimaras every January 16.
KAHIMUNAN Festival - Butuan City, Butuan's version of Sinulog Festival held every January 16.
BATAN ATI-ATI MALAKARA Festival - in Poblacion, Batan Aklan. Celebrated every January 16. 
ALTAVAS STO. NINO Festival - held annually in Poblacion, Altavas, Aklan every January 21-22.
DINAGSA ATI-ATI Festival - Cadiz, Negros Occidental held every January 24-30
BINIRAY Festival - held annually in Romblon, Romblon every January 9.
SANTO NINO Fiesta in Marilao , Bulacan every last Sunday of January. 
TONDO FIESTA -  celebrated every third Sunday of January in Tondo Manila.

SINULOG PHOTO TAKEN FROM PHOTOBUCKET

The celebration of the feast of the Santo Nino started in Cebu and is now celebrated in many parts of the Philippines. There were hundreds of stories about the miracles of the Santo Nino which made the holy infant close to the hearts of every Filipino. Celebrations features novenas, processions with images of the Santo Nino, tribal dance competitions, fireworks and games for childrens. 

VIVA PIT SENOR SANTO NINO!!!