The Filipino Catholic Community in Bahrain, more popularly known as Katolikong Pinoy sa Bahrain, celebrated the feast of Sto. Niño at Sacred Heart Church in Manama last January 24, 2025. An estimated 2,000 parishioners attended that highlighted both faith and cultural heritage.
It was spearheaded by the Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Anthony Almazan, OFM Cap., together with its Coordinator Bro. Ulysses Dela Cruz.
The Sto. Niño Festival started with a solemn mass entrance procession, putting the event in a spiritually significant perspective at the Sacred Heart Church.
Leading in the procession was the Singles for Christ accompanied by the lively sounds of Ati-Atihan music that filled the air with joy and reverence.
This was followed by children carrying their Santo Niño statues with the current and former Hermanas/Hermanos and parishioners, each proudly holding up their own statues behind the main Sto Niño shrine.
The solemn Mass drew a huge crowd among them Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain. She was accompanied by Celia V. Cabadonga, Officer-in-Charge of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Dr. Amelito S. Adel, Welfare Officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
As the fiesta went on, it became more than a manifestation of religious devotion; it contributed to the consolidation of unity and cultural pride of Filipinos in Bahrain.
The feast Mass was presided over by Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.S S.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia. He was joined by a prestigious group of co-celebrants: Rev. Fr. Anthony Almazan, OFM Cap, Rev. Fr. Nicholson Supreme, Rev. Fr. Charbel Rizk, OFM Cap, Rev. Fr. John Britto, OFM Cap, Rev. Fr. Victor Prakash, OFM Cap, Rev. Fr. Desideri Joseph Chuwa, OFM Cap.
Following the Mass, a program filled with colorful cultural performances kept the energy high with the much anticipated highlight, the Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang, and Sinulog street dance competition.
It really caught the audience with their step movements, reminding everybody of the historical importance of the festival.
Among the notable groups competing were El Shaddai Gospel Dancers – Bahrain Chapter, Global Bisdak Bahrain, The Guardians Tribe Bahrain, Alwali Training & Development Center in cooperation with the Katilingban sang mga Ilonggo sa Bahrain (KIB/ATDC Warriors) and Legion of Mary Sinulog Group.
A particularly exciting competition followed, and based on the Judges’ Panel evaluations, Global Bisdak Bahrain placed first in all categories. Right behind them in second and third place, respectively, were KIB/ATDC Warriors and El Shaddai Gospel Dancers – Bahrain Chapter.
This year’s Sto Niño Festival was indeed special, as it had a new feature, the Grand Sto. Niño Queen Bahrain 2025 title which was bagged by Lilibeth Donayre, hailing from Global Bisdak Bahrain. She expressed her gratitude to everyone in her group, “This is my first time in the Sinulog Festival, and I’m more than happy with our win in the street dance category, especially being the Festival Queen. I would also like to thank Jeffrey Misa for convincing me to be the queen. So thank you to Gina Miranda, PJ Quitco, Rose Gala, the whole Global Bisdak team, and President Randy Ayuste for supporting me. I did my best performance, and the happiness of dancing really warms my heart.”
The Sto. Nino Festival 2025 was a resounding success, it truly showed strong community links and a heritage of tradition that the Filipino keeps while abroad.
‘’Participants performed in different performances. For me, it is not just about celebrating the tradition but a time to come together, share our faith, and strengthen our community ties,” said Liezel Delante, one of the performers.
As the festivities concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of community and a deeper appreciation for their heritage, looking forward to next year’s celebrations.
