Ched Rick Gatchalian

Catholic devotees flock to the procession and blessing of images of the Santo Niño on the feast day of the Santo Niño de Tondo in Manila on January 21, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FILE

Article (news)

Lakbayaw Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo welcomes over 45,000 devotees

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173718023966120240121-santo-nino-tondo-md-1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Catholic devotees flock to the procession and blessing of images of the Santo Niño on the feast day of the Santo Niño de Tondo in Manila on January 21, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FILE" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Catholic devotees flock to the procession and blessing of images of the Santo Niño on the feast day of the Santo Niño de Tondo in Manila on January 21, 2024. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FILE</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Over 45,000 devotees have joined the Lakbayaw procession as of 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Manila Police District. </p><p>Derived from lakbay (journey) and sayaw (dance), the Lakbayaw brought together devotees from different parts of Luzon who expressed their faith through dances as part of the Sto. Niño de Tondo feast.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/12/thousands-of-devotees-expected-to-visit-tondo-pandacan-for-feast-of-sto-ni-o-1710">Thousands of devotees expected to visit Tondo, Pandacan for feast of Sto. Niño</a> </div><p>The procession began after the Misa ng Bisperas, led by Reverend Monsignor Geronimo Reyes, Rector and Parish Priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Sto. Niño. </p><p>In his homily, Reverend Reyes reminded the congregation to place hope in the youth, just as they place their faith in the Sto. Niño. </p><p>The mass was attended by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who was warmly presented with a token of appreciation at the end of the service. </p><p>At 7:00 a.m., the image of Sto. Niño de Tondo was taken outside to join a procession of carriages with statues of the child Christ dressed in festive attire. </p><p>Among the participants was Reynaldo Verania, 68, a devoted follower for 39 years. He attended the event with his wife and grandchild to continue their cherished yearly tradition. </p><p>&quot;Tatlong beses ako na-ospital dahil nga sa kidney ko. Sabi nga sa akin ng doktor, ooperahan ako,&quot; Verania shared. &quot;Pero awa naman ng Diyos, lagi ko na lang siya tinitignan pag ako’y nasa bahay. Mula po noon, wala na akong nararamdaman,&quot; he added. </p><p>For Biboy Sayson, 21, the procession was a way to express his gratitude through creativity. He helped decorate a carriage with light blue flowers to give off the impression seven images of the Sto. Niño were standing in heaven. </p><p>&quot;Pasasalamat na po sa bagong taon na ibinigay sa amin… yung mother ko po na-mild stroke po siya, naka-recover na po,&quot; Sayson said. </p><p>Meanwhile, Rene Manago, 60, transformed a pedicab into a carriage carrying 30 images of the Sto. Niño. He said his devotion was inherited from his parents, but it wasn’t until his retirement that he fully embraced this ceremonial practice. </p><p>When asked about the prayer he hopes Sto. Niño would grant, he said, &quot;Maibalik natin ang katahimikan. Gusto lang namin is magandang buhay, yung wala pong mga gulo.&quot; </p><p>The Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish will hold a 33-hour continuous mass from 3 p.m. to 11 a.m. leading up to the procession on Sunday.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KNiyU6S_GoE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Over 45,000 devotees had joined the Lakbayaw procession as of 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Manila Police District.</p>

Over 45,000 devotees had joined the Lakbayaw procession as of 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Manila Police District.