Santo Niño

Stolen from its sanctuary, the Santo Niño de Tondo endured a harrowing ordeal. Imagine, in 1972, this revered image, with its ivory head, hands, and feet, was stolen from its home above the high altar. The Santo Niño de Tondo, brought to the Philippines in 1572 during Miguel López de Legazpi’s expedition, is the second oldest image of the Child Jesus in the country. It resides in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo. The theft coincided with Typhoon Gloring, one of the worst weather disasters in Philippine history. Many Filipinos believed the typhoon was a divine consequence of the Santo Niño’s abduction. The image was eventually recovered, albeit dismembered. Its main torso discarded in a drainage canal, its head, hands, and feet scattered among the thieves. President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. ordered its immediate restoration, entrusting the task to the renowned sculptor, Máximo Vicente. Today, the Santo Niño de Tondo remains a potent symbol of faith and resilience. It is venerated as the “Hari ng Tondo,” or King of Tondo. Every third Sunday of January, the streets come alive with the Labayaw Festival, a vibrant celebration of the Santo Niño. A portmanteau of “lakbay” (journey) and “sayaw” (dance), the festival honors the image’s journey and the dancing crowds that accompany its processions. The Labayaw Festival is a testament to the enduring devotion to the Santo Niño de Tondo. It is a reminder of its miraculous survival and its continued presence in the hearts of the Filipino people.