MARIA LIZA B.

ARROPO
GRADE-12
MAKATARUNGAN

JANUARY is the feast of the Santo Niño. It is the most recognizable religious image in the Philippines
because it is the oldest one in the archipelago dating back to 1521. In every Catholic home, office, chapel, carinderia,
tiangge, even beer houses, a statue of the Santo Niño can be found. In the Visayas, the biggest festivals are in honor
of the Sto. Niño. Let us trace the origin of these festivals. When Ferdinand de Magallanes (Magellan) arrived and
planted the cross in the shores in Cebu in 1521 claiming it in the name of the King of Spain, he offered the image of
the Child Jesus, the Santo Niño as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Cebu’s Rajah Humabon who was later
named Queen Juana in honor of Carlos I mother, Juana. The 800 natives were also baptized together with the rulers
of the land. This event marked the foundation of the Sinulog dances where Queen Juana holds the Sto. Niño in her
arms and blesses her people.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lifestyle/2016/01/28/history-sto-nino-festivals-454155

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All of the festival that we have. I choose Sinulog Festival than other festival. For me Sinulog Festival

represent the Sto. Nino most recognizable religious image here in the Philippines. Sto. Nino gives us guide

and strength from the almighty. We all know Sinulog came from Cebu, which is every January celebrate this

event. This festival show the symbol, which is the Sto. Nino , then the costume are all black from the top to

bottom with a colorful design. That’s why this festival is awesome and fantastic.