The Manila Police District (MPD) announced on Thursday, Jan. 18, that some roads in the city will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 20, for the feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo.
The MPD said the following roads will be closed starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday until the event ends:
Stretch of Nicolas Zamora Street (from Moriones Street to Chacon Street); stretch of Sta. Maria Street (from Moriones Street to Morga Street); stretch of J. Nolasco Street (from Morga Street to N. Zamora Street); stretch of Morga Street (from J. Nolasco Street to Juan Luna Street); stretch of Ortega Street (from Asuncion Street to Soliman Street); stretch of Lakandula Street (from Asuncion Street to Ilaya Street); stretch of Ilaya Street (from Lakandula Street to Claro M. Recto Avenue); stretch of Chacon Street (from N. Zamora Street to Juan Luna Street); and stretch of Soliman Street (from Morga Street to N. Zamora/Ortega Street).
It advised the motorists to take the following alternative routes:
All vehicles passing through J. Nolasco Street going to Tondo Church must turn right to Morga Street, go straight to Tuazon Street, to Wagas Street, or turn left to Asuncion Street to CM Recto Avenue to the point of destination.
All vehicles coming from Pritil passing through N. Zamora Street should turn left at Moriones Street to Juan Luna Street to reach the point of destination.
All vehicles passing through CM Recto Ave. or Asuncion Street should turn left on Lakandula Street to the point of destination.
The festival in Tondo is called "Lakbayaw," which was derived from two Filipino words "lakbay (travel)" and "sayaw (dance).”
Lakbayaw is an annual procession with dance, music, and colorful costumes that unite the people of Tondo to show their devotion to the Sto. Niño.