The Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) has its own devoted following among Filipinos who celebrate his feast day every third Sunday of January.
There’s the Shrine of Sto Niño in Tondo in Manila where devotees bring replica of the Child Jesus in different costumes.
Legend says the first Santo Niño statue in the Philippines was a gift from the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the local chieftain of Limasawa in Cebu, Raja Kulambu and his chief consort, Hara Humamay when he landed there in April 1521.
Photos and videos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.