Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo, Shadow of the Sinulog and Ati-atihan Festivals

When it comes to celebrating the Feast of Sto. Nino, we at Tondo, Manila, know very well that we cannot compete with the kind of celebration they have there in Cebu. But despite of that, nothing could actually stop us from celebrating the coming of Sto. Nino to the Filipinos. Subukan nyo, nang makita nyo ang mga Siga ng Tundo! Hahaha!

Happening the same Sunday as Sinulog Festival and Ati-atihan Festival, which is on the third Sunday of January, is Tondo, Manila's Lakbayaw Festival, a festival composed of sing and dance dedicated to Sto. Nino de Tondo. Just like in Cebu, a weekend full of street dancing and chanting of "Viva, Viva Sto. Nino!," the Lakbayaw Festival of Tondo is a mixed of street dancing and solemn procession whereas participating schools in the area dress up and dance to compete on this year Lakbayaw Street Dance Competition.

The Festival is basically new, but it already caught some attention from the country due to its resounding success. I haven't seen any of the Lakbayaw shows yet, but I always make sure that I get to visit the church on the feast day - to give thanks to one who we basically consider as our patron saint - the Sto. Nino.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013: The The Love, The Devotion and the Cosplay

If the celebration last year left we with questions as to how come the number of devotees of the Black Nazarene keeps growing and do all of these devotees really know what they are doing, I guess this year, as I brave myself again in facing the challenges of capturing some bits and pieces of one of the most celebrated feast in the country, the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013 leave with simple joy and amazement as to how miraculously every thing goes in its right place.

Compared to last year, this year's procession took a little less shorter. From the longest 22-hour procession, this year, the procession only lasted for 18 hours, so by 1:30 in the morning of January 10, the replica of the Black Nazarene was finally back, safe and sound, to its place inside the Basilica of the the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

Having a family who's a devotee of the said patron, it s a tradition for us to visit the church  see the procession even if we all hail from the neighboring district, Tondo. It was my father who's very active to this kind of stuff back then, so don't ask me to whom I get the habit. But then again, more than a habit, seeing and praying on to the Nazarene on this festive day is actually an eye-opener.

Feast of Black Nazarene 2012 - Why, oh, why?

Once again, the avenues of Manila City was flooded the colors maroon and golden yellow as the country celebrates the 2012 Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Attending this year's celebration feel so different for a devotee like me, because the man who encouraged and thought me things about this tradition is already gone. It's kinda painful to see the church and the people, but we have to move on, I have to move on, just like the procession of the Black Nazarene, which is attended by millions of devotees every year.

Today, I attended the 10:30 a.m. mass. By this time, the Basilica of the Black Nazarene is already full of devotees from the different parts of the world. And as if I have any other choice, I pushed myself in just to get inside and see the altar. As expected, it was grand and looks so mystical.

The Pahiyas Festival 2011

One of my lifelong dreams is to visit Lucabn, Quezon and witness its' very colorful and vibrant Pahiyas Festival. Thanks to my blogger-friends Abe, Cathie, Flow and Ohmski for tagging me along to enjoy an overnight stay at this small but very happy city.

Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of May to give thanks to their patron saint San Isidro. And that week I and my friends drove down there to fee, see and taste this wonderful festivity.

Save Mother Earth at Makati's Caracol Festival 2011

I've been working here in Makati for how many years now, and believe it or not, last Sunday was the first time to witness and experience Makati City's Caracol Festival - and 'twas so fabulous!

With a theme of "Save Mother Earth", participants for the parade and street dance competition were dressed  in different attractive and colorful earthly attires that gave this festival a wonderful and very festive look.

I got a chance to see the parade and street dance competition, even their preparations and here are the pictures:

Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo 2011

As the whole country focuses its attention to the Queen City of the South , Cebu, as they celebrate there the Sinulog Festival in respect to the little Jesus – Sto. Niño – here in Metro Manila, we, the people from Tondo, Manila, also give praise and thanks to our little patron who’s been so good to us all these year.

Yes, look here as I share to all of you the Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo!

Just like in Cebu, every third Sunday of January, people from Manila gather at Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings and miracles that the little Jesus has given to us. On the streets of Tondo, you’ll see dances and praises of different local bands chanting “Viva, Viva, Sto. Niño!”

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2011

mThe most celebrated feast in Manila once again proved to the whole world how we, Filipinos, give importance to our faith - to our religion.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene was attended by millions of devotees from the different parts of the country, making it the most attended and most awaited celebration every start of the year.

Feast of Rosario, Pasig

I barely got to attend town feast, because for one I didn’t know their exact dates. Most of the time, dates of town feasts change depending on the Sundays of the year or to some, they just stick to a specific date that no matter what, rain or shone, they celebrate this once a year town celebration.

 

Feasts back in the old days were celebrated to give thanks to their patron with a grandeur celebration with lotsa, lotsa food everywhere.