PH Embassy in Nairobi Celebrates “Sinulog: the Feast of Sto. Niño” with the Filipino Community
From right: Minister and Philippine Consul General to Nairobi Edgar Tomas Auxilian, Madame Marie Marla Chua and Fr. Deem Virtuzado leads the procession of Sto. Niño images. (Nairobi PE photo)
NAIROBI 22 January 2020 –– The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi together with the Filipino community celebrated “Sinulog: the Feast of Sto. Niño” on 12 January 2020 at the Holy Trinity Parish, Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya.
The procession of images of the Sto. Niño, led by Minister and Philippine Consul General to Nairobi Edgar Tomas Auxilian, Madame Marie Marla Chua and Father Deem Virtusado kickstarted the celebration.
Consul General Auxilian lauded the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Niño, mentioning that the “Sinulog showcases both the religious and cultural traditions of the Filipinos”.“In celebrating the Sinulog together, the Filipino community is united in tradition, history and faith”.
“In this time of great need, when the Philippines is suffering from the eruption of Taal Volcano and there is uncertainty in the peace and stability of the Middle East, we offer this celebration as a way of invoking the power of the collective prayer for graces for the Filipino people the world over,” Madame Chua stated.
Sinulog is the drum dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of Sto. Niño, the image of the Infant Jesus. It also commemorates the conversion to Christianity of the First Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Amihan. According to historical accounts, Hara Amihan danced with the image of the Sto. Nino, which was the baptismal gift of the navigator Ferdinand Magellan to her.
The Embassy organized the celebration together with the Filipino community. END
Minister and Philippine Consul General to Nairobi Edgar Tomas Auxilian (second from right) with Madame Marie Marla Chua (second from left) and Father Deem Virtuzado (center). (Nairobi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://ww.nairobipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKenya/.