FILIPINOS IN PETALUMA PAY TRIBUTE TO THE SANTO NIÑO IN VIBRANT SINULOG FESTIVAL
The Filipino Community in Petaluma, California held its 15th Sinulog celebration in praise and worship of the Santo Niño or the Child Jesus, at Petaluma Community Center on 26 January 2024.
Activities spearheaded by the community led by Petaluma Sinulog Chairperson Pilar Olivarez included the praying of the Holy Rosary, the celebration of the Eucharist, community singing and dancing and a procession of the Santo Niño.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the Filipino Community in Petaluma in the festivities. In her remarks, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona thanked the community for continuing the Filipino spiritual and cultural tradition of honoring the Santo Niño.
On behalf of the Consulate, Consul Bago-Llona also encouraged the Filipino Community to explore the country and experience Philippine culture and hospitality and invited them to join the 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour that would take travelers to Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.
Widely regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Festivals,” the Sinulog pays tribute to the Santo Niño which, in 1521, was presented by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu’s Rajah Humabon as the first Catholic image given to native Filipinos. (San Francisco PCG photos)
