Philippine Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Dr. Juan Dayang Jr. visited KÅ™imice, Pilsen to formally hand over the image of the Infant Jesus of Cebu to Mayor Vít MojÅ¾íš and Deputy Mayor Vladimír Lobkowicz at the Chapel of the Lobkowicz Castle.
The rare image of the Santo Niño was painted on abalone shell by noted artist Noli Principe Manalang.
The handover was immediately followed by a concert of Jakub Ryba's "Czech Christmas Mass" performed by Tyla Theater in the full packed chapel.
CDA Dayang previously visited KÅ™imice on Jan. 23, 2014 to visit the ZámeÄek Art College when its faculty members and students designed two dozen poster designs to encourage support to victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines in November 2013.
CDA Dayang noted that the Philippines and the Czech Republic is celebrating its 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2018. He said that the image of the Infant Jesus of Cebu is “our token of appreciation to the people of KÅ™imice” and hopes that it will further strengthen Philippine-Czech religious and cultural ties.
The statue of the Santo Niño de Cebú resembles the Santo Niño de Praga, which draws Filipino Catholics to Prague and has become a cultural symbol of Philippine-Czech relations.