Thousands of devotees filled the streets of Pasig City as the 25th Bambino Festival unfolded in a vibrant public expression of faith and tradition in honor of the Child Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño.
The annual celebration, known as the Bambino Festival—derived from the Italian word meaning “baby” or “young child”—began with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Pasig at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Worshippers from across the city gathered early, many carrying images of the Sto. Niño dressed in ornate costumes reflecting both religious devotion and local creativity.
The highlight of the festival came in the afternoon with a grand procession at 4 p.m., featuring revered images of the Child Jesus from Pasig City’s 13 parishes. The procession wound through major streets, drawing crowds of families, parish groups, and devotees who lined the route to offer prayers, sing hymns, and take photos as the images passed by.
As night fell, the procession made its way back to the cathedral, where the celebration formally concluded with a blessing of the religious images at 8:30 p.m. The moment marked both the spiritual climax of the day and a reaffirmation of Pasig’s deep-rooted devotion to the Sto. Niño, a tradition passed down through generations.
Now on its 25th year, the Bambino Festival continues to stand as one of Pasig City’s most significant religious and cultural events, blending solemn worship with communal joy and reinforcing the city’s enduring faith-centered identity. (Ryan Lindley Lacano)
