The Feast of Santo Niño de Tondo drew an estimated 5,000 devotees in a solemn procession on Sunday, January 19, with the Manila Police District (MPD) reporting no untoward incidents during the celebration.
MPD Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay confirmed that both the Tondo and Pandacan festivities remained peaceful.
“According to the report of our two station commanders in Pandacan, all our station commanders in Tondo, no incidents were recorded overnight and since yesterday when our activities here began for the Tondo fiesta and then the Pandacan fiesta,” Ibay said in an interview with Super Raydo DZBB.
Pandacan saw an even larger turnout of 18,000 to 20,000 spectators during Saturday’s vibrant Buling-Buling Festival, according to MPD.
Ibay said they deployed sufficient personnel to ensure public safety in both areas throughout the weekend. He also reminded revelers to celebrate responsibly. “Don’t drink too much and put it in your stomach,” he said.
He extended the same reminder to students and parents since classes resume in the school days.
The Feast of Santo Niño de Tondo has been an annual tradition since 1572, featuring a procession of various Child Jesus images. The first image of Sto. Niño arrived in the Philippines from Natividad, Mexico, in 1564, marking the beginning of a centuries-old devotion.
The celebration, held every third Sunday of January, is one of the most significant religious events in Tondo, Manila, which draws thousands of devotees each year.