Around 7,000 Child Jesus devotees participated in the 23rd Bambino Grand Festival in Pasig City on Sunday, Jan. 21, the city's Traffic Parking Management Office (TPMO) said.
Mayor Vico Sotto and other city government officials attended the holy mass that was held first at Immaculate Conception Cathedral at around 1 p.m. before the Bambino Grand Parade.
The devotees brought their own images of the Child Jesus, which were blessed after the mass.
After the mass, devotees from the 30 barangays of Pasig joined in the parade, where they marched along the parade route carrying their blessed images of the Señor Sto. Niño.
The Bambino “a baby or young child” Festival is included in the calendar of activities of the Department of Tourism (DOT), which gives honor to the Sto. Niño, or the Child Jesus.
One of the city's barangays that joined the parade was Barangay San Antonio (BSA), where its chairman, Raymond Lising, urged Pasigueños to embrace the Sto. Niño's spirit of innocence, hope, and compassion.
"As we celebrate the Feast of Sto. Niño, let us embrace the enduring spirit of innocence, hope, and compassion of the Señor Sto. Niño,” he said.
The chairman told devotees to let the Child Jesus encourage everyone to approach one another with humility in the midst of difficulties, acknowledging the devotion of each individual.
“Just as the Sto. Niño symbolizes purity and divine love. May we, as a community, strive to nurture understanding, kindness, and unity,” he said.
“Together, may we build a future that reflects the virtues of Sto. Niño—a future filled with grace, understanding, and shared prosperity for all,” he added.
Lising said that the festival is an opportunity for their residents to come together as a community, fostering unity and solidarity.
He added that Barangay San Antonio belongs to the Holy Family Parish.
“In our shared devotion to the Child Jesus, we find strength and support for one another. Let us use this time to build stronger bonds and bridging gaps,” he said.
The delegation of BSA stands out from the other participants as they had around 200 delegates, and their float was decorated with orchids during the parade. It also had their cultural dancers, who were in colorful costumes.
Meanwhile, as part of the festivities, Pasig City will open a Bambino Exhibit to the public from Jan. 29 until Feb. 11 and will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibit will showcase various images of the Child Jesus. It will be located on the 2nd floor of SM City East Ortigas.