Viva Sto. Niño

The world’s biggest, most spectacular and most popular Sto. Niño Fiesta is in the Philippines. It is also the longest in terms of community because it is celebrated for 2 weeks. Why? On the third Sunday of January, it is celebrated in 3 cities; 1. Cebu City with a Fluvial or water procession called Sinulog. 2. Kalibo City (Ati-Atihan). 3. Tondo, Manila. Because Kalibo and Iloilo are neighboring Cities in Panay Island, Iloilo moved its Sto. Niño fiesta called Dinagyang to the 4th Sunday of January to allow the faithful in Panay Island to participate in the two fiestas. Cebu’s Sinulog and Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan are the most colorful and artistic in the world. Lasting for more than 12 hours, it has become a big tourist attraction.

The participants and devotees keep increasing every year because the Filipino is by nature religious. More than 4 million participate in Cebu’s Sinulog, Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan. Tondo, Manila and in Ilo-ilo’s Dinagyang each have 1 million devotees.

How do we explain this wonder? Ask anyone who has attended one of the 4 major fiestas and you will get different answers. The bottom line is Catholic faith, hope, love and trust in the Sto. Niño is very strong and very much alive. So don’t ask why or how? Just shout VIVA STO. NIÑO! Pit Señor!