More than 20,000 devotees joined the “Lakbayaw” procession or the feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported as of 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20
Police said the number of attendees is expected to increase throughout the day.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan joined the opening of the procession, where the image of Sto. Niño de Tondo was being taken out of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo, or Tondo Church.
Devotees dance and raise their images of Santo Niño during the procession while chanting Viva Sto. Niño.
MPD said that it deployed around 700 personnel to monitor the area and ensure the attendees' safety during the event.
It added that no untoward incidents have been reported so far.
Lakbayaw is an annual procession participated by devotees and street dancers in colorful costumes to honor Sto. Niño.
The Tondo Church said that four "Santa Misa" were conducted on Saturday, which started at 6 a.m. until 9 a.m..
On Sunday, 24 Santa Misa will be conducted, which will start at 12 a.m. until 11 p.m.