More than 7k join feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo

At least 7,500 flocked to Tondo, Manila on Sunday for the feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.

This was as of 1 p.m., it added.

Earlier on Sunday, devotees joined the procession of the Sto. Niño de Tondo from the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo or Tondo Church on Moriones Street and adjacent roads.

The procession got back to the church at 8 a.m.

As of 8:00 AM, nakabalik na ang poong Sto. Niño sa Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church sa Moriones, Tondo, Maynila ngayong Jan. 18, 2026. | via Mao dela Cruz, DZBB/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/1LeAruKXoz

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) January 18, 2026

Devotees attended Masses at the church, filling the venue.

Unti-unti nang dumadagsa ang mga debotong Katoliko sa Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church sa Moriones sa Tondo, Maynila kung saan isinasagawa ang taunang selebrasyon ng kapistahan ng Señor Sto. Niño. | via Mao dela Cruz, DZBB/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/zjnMHDsDbu

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) January 18, 2026

People brought their own images of the Sto. Niño to be blessed by church deacons.

On Saturday, devotees also joined the annual Lakbayaw, a procession of the image of the Child Jesus from the Tondo Church and around the adjacent streets.

Images of the Sto. Niño were carried by devotees in their arms or on mini carriages.

Lakbayaw comes from the words "lakbay" and "sayaw" and devotees are expected to dance and pray during the procession.

The Sto. Niño is also being honored on Sunday in other areas of the country such as Cebu City with its Sinulog Festival, Kalibo in Aklan with its Ati-Atihan Festival, and Pandacan in Manila, among others.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Sunday challenged the faithful to be open to painful and difficult truths, just as the Infant Jesus grew to fulfill his mission as the promised Messiah, during the Feast of the Santo Niño or Infant Jesus.  

Advincula presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the Sto. Niño de Pandacan Parish in Manila, where devotion to the Infant Jesus remains alive and thriving, despite the fire in 2020. —KG, GMA Integrated News