Sto. Niño returns to Tondo church as devotees gather for annual feast
Photo courtesy of Mark Balmores
The image of Señor Sto. Niño returned to the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church along Moriones Street in Tondo, Manila at around 8 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, as Catholic devotees began flocking to the church for the annual feast of the Child Jesus.
Church officials confirmed the arrival of the revered image early Sunday morning, prompting a steady influx of worshippers eager to take part in religious rites and festivities tied to the celebration.
Devotees were seen continuously arriving at the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church to offer prayers, light candles, and attend scheduled Masses as part of the traditional observance.
The Feast of Señor Sto. Niño is among the most widely celebrated religious events in the Philippines, drawing thousands of faithful each year, particularly in parishes dedicated to the Child Jesus.
Local authorities and parish volunteers were deployed in the area to help manage the flow of devotees and ensure order and safety throughout the celebration.
The festivities are expected to continue throughout the day, featuring church activities and devotional practices centered on faith, thanksgiving, and devotion to Señor Sto. Niño.