Lim calls for peaceful observance of Sto. Niño feast

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim called yesterday on Tondo residents to celebrate today’s feast of the Sto. Niño in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Lim, who said he grew up, became a professional, and raised his children in Tondo, said the annual celebration must not be marred by petty fights.

He said that while drinking sessions are usually part of the celebration, revelers should know their limits.

“It would be better if they don’t drink. There are many ways to celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Niño,” Lim appealed to Tondo residents.

Sing-along or videoke sessions and parlor games, he said, are better and more pleasant alternatives to drinking.

Good weather

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tondo is expected to have generally good weather.

“Metro Manila would have partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains,” weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said.

He added that they did not detect any low-pressure area that would affect the country until tomorrow.

Traditionally, Tondo residents bring out trestle tables and share their food with neighbors and friends as part of the celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño. They also have several outdoor activities to mark the feast.

Deeply devoted

Meanwhile, a priest of the Sto. Niño de Tondo parish said that beneath the  “bad image” Tondo residents have as excessive, rowdy drinkers during this religious festival, he said many of them are deeply devout Catholics.

“It is saddening that Tondo became infamous and painted as a bad community with a lot of drinking. They do not see the other side of Tondo,” Fr. Edu Gariguez, who has been with the parish since 2010, said.

He said the residents of Tondo “are religious in the sense that maybe because of poverty, they really feel their closeness to God, and this is expressed through their devotion to the Sto. Niño.”

Gariguez added that whenever he celebrates Mass, he is touched by their “sincere devotion.” However, he said showing love for God should not be limited to attending Mass and joining religious processions.

“The devotion to Sto. Niño should be seen in everyday life. That is the challenge,” he said.

Cops to arrest drunk revelers

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) said it will arrest revelers who will drink along the streets, violating a city ordinance against public drunkenness.

Lim directed MPD director Chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez to ensure that Tondo will be trouble-free today.

Gutierrez said additional policemen will be deployed to guard against unruly revelers and ensure that the fiesta celebration will be orderly and marked by sobriety. – With Evelyn Macairan, Rey Galupo