The big January fiestas

Christianity arrived in our country in 1521 when Magellan landed in Limasawa. Today, for 96 years our faith seemed deeper than ever. Every January we hold two fiestas which all Catholic nations watch with envy and amazements. The Quiapo Black Nazarene Fiesta is the world’s biggest in terms of devotees/participants more so during the visperas and the dawn procession. What makes it more enchanting is that the phrase Black Nazarene correctly describes the color of the original Quiapo Nazarene which is indeed black.

The third Sunday of January is the fiesta of the Sto. Nino. This is the world’s most bongga fiesta because it is done in four places in our nation at the same time; in Tondo, Manila; in the Matina Shrine (the biggest Sto. Nino fiesta in Mindanao), in Kalibo, Aklan called Ati-Atihan and in Cebu called “Sinulog.” On the fourth Sunday of January Iloilo holds its Sto. Nino fiesta.

These fiestas remind us that truly, we are the biggest Christian nation in Asia. Our zeal and dedication to participate in these two fiestas in every way we can is really inspiring.

Viva Sto. Nino!