Devotees attend Sto. Niño de Tondo procession in Manila

Many devotees flocked to Tondo, Manila before dawn on Sunday to join the procession for the Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo.

The procession started at 4 a.m. and featured many images of the Child Jesus, according to GMA Integrated News reporter EJ Gomez.

The church said the procession will take three or four hours going around the streets within the parish area.

Several road sections were closed for the celebration, the Manila Police District earlier said.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño (Santo Niño de Tondo Parish) also held a blessing of Sto. Niño images brought by devotees.

Hundreds of devotees raise their images of the Sto. Niño as church deacons bless them following a Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño De Tondo Parish during the feast of Sto. Niño on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Danny Pata

The first image of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) arrived in 1564 in the Philippines from Natividad, Mexico.

The annual procession began in 1572 featuring several images of the Sto. Niño.

The feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo is held every third Sunday of January.

Other areas in the country are also holding their own Sto. Niño festivals, such as Aklan (Ati-Atihan Festival) and Cebu (Sinulog Festival), attracting tourists and devotees. —KG, GMA Integrated News