Filipino Catholic community in Bahrain celebrates Sto. Niño Festival with faith and cultural pride
The celebration was spearheaded by the Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Anthony Almazan, OFM Cap., alongside Coordinator Bro. Ulysses Dela Cruz. The festival commenced with a solemn mass entrance procession, setting a spiritually significant tone at Sacred Heart Church.
Leading the procession were members of Singles for Christ, accompanied by the lively sounds of Ati-Atihan music, which filled the air with joy and reverence. Children carried their Santo Niño statues, joined by current and former Hermanas/Hermanos and parishioners, each proudly displaying their own statues behind the main Sto Niño shrine.
The solemn Mass drew a significant crowd, including Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, who 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 continued, it evolved beyond a simple religious observance, fostering unity and cultural pride among Filipinos in Bahrain. The feast Mass was presided over by Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.S.S.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, and featured a distinguished group of co-celebrants.
Following the Mass, attendees enjoyed a vibrant program filled with cultural performances, culminating in the highly anticipated street dance competition featuring the Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang, and Sinulog styles. The audience was captivated by the performers' energetic movements, which underscored the festival's historical significance.
Notable groups competing included El Shaddai Gospel Dancers – Bahrain Chapter, Global Bisdak Bahrain, The Guardians Tribe Bahrain, Alwali Training & Development Center in partnership with the Katilingban sang mga Ilonggo sa Bahrain (KIB/ATDC Warriors), and the Legion of Mary Sinulog Group. According to the Judges' Panel evaluations, Global Bisdak Bahrain took first place in all categories, with KIB/ATDC Warriors and El Shaddai Gospel Dancers – Bahrain Chapter securing second and third places, respectively.
This year's festival featured a new highlight: the Grand Sto. Niño Queen Bahrain 2025 title, awarded to Lilibeth Donayre of Global Bisdak Bahrain. Expressing her gratitude, she stated, '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.'
The Sto. Niño Festival 2025 was a resounding success, showcasing the strong community ties and cultural heritage that Filipinos maintain while abroad.
'For me, it is not just about celebrating the tradition but a time to come together, share our faith, and strengthen our community ties,' remarked Liezel Delante, one of the performers.
(Cecil V. Ancheta , Filipino Writers' Circle )
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Culture of kindness fires up optimistic children
Life is not a walk in the park. Yet, how each one approaches anything and everything is the key. It starts at each one's home where parents use the key. Let's take it from Stephanie Jean P. De Guzman (9), Celine Madison Matondo (10), Angela Jewel Omega (10), Rhoven Azriel V. Vinuya (11), Leianna Samara C. Julaton (10), Chloe T. Tagle (10), Raphaella Grey R. Morata (11), Austineth Jaustine L. Burgos (12), Alexandria Melisse C. Apolinario (9), and Zireh Athena G. Esquivel (10) – collectively known as the BKIDZZZ that represented the UAE in the Junior Category of the 'World Supremacy Battlegrounds 2025' at The Space of the Dubai Investment Park. Unperturbed that the gold got snapped by their fellow Filipinos, the Gboyz Juniors that represented their homeland. That the three-day competition, from July 10 to 13, let them go through the zigzag of emotions against other pre-teens from Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Africa. These third culture kids, with five still in their nappies upon arrival in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, as the rest were born-and-raised in the UAE, demonstrate that this worrisome world, where strife and struggle are definitely components, still has the fighting chance to become a better world. 'Dreams do come true as long as you pray and work hard for it and never give up. I know that my parents will always be there to support me and my siblings,' said Shining Light Academy online Grade 5 student Esquivel. 'It depends on how we look at it. It is already a privilege to be dancing and sharing the stage with all the best around the world. I genuinely feel that I won already, albeit not trophies, but experience, learning, friendship, appreciation and most importantly memories we have created along the way,' said USA-born Matondo. Matondo's parents, Nestor and Maria Cecilia, were so grateful that a few weeks after they landed in the capital in 2011, aside from opportunities to flourish career-wise, they 'found a Christian Filipino community.' Later on were encouraged to have their only child grow into the performing arts. 'We don't see it as losing. We see it as learning. We also got so many cool ideas from other teams. They had different styles and stories to tell. The biggest thing we learnt was how to work together as one family,' said De Guzman. De Guzman is appreciative of her long-time UAE resident parents, Jes and Remi who have jotted down among their to-dos, the regular updates with BKIDZZZ founder/handler Christy Angel Gelena and head coaches Ricardo Daniel Esquivel and Ralchie Gelena, about her Type 1 Diabetes. 'I have come to understand that true success lies not merely in winning. But, in the courage to try, the discipline to improve, and the heart to uplift those around you,' said Tagle. Tagle's father, Brayant, 'was once an accomplished dancer in the Philippines' who makes it a point that their family remains grounded on the 'values of grace, discipline and humility while nurturing their God-given talents.' BKDZZZ is the second dance group Gelena formed in 2024. It is melded towards modern hip-hop and K-pop. The 12 out of over 40 applicants were selected not only through their 'genuine love for dance and definitely not forced by their parents,' but more importantly, their sense of respect and optimism. 'It is essential to create a culture of kindness, mentorship, and generosity where each generation supports the next,' said Gelena. Gelena formed years back, the still existing Fuzion Dance Crew with her son, Ralchie as one of the members, who had developed his abilities with the assistance of 'many people.' Burgos' guardian, Janeth Lalamonan, urges families to indulge their children in worthwhile activities. Doing so hones 'important life skills such as teamwork leadership, confidence and creativity that are just as important as academic achievements.' Apolinario's mother Bennelyn did not mince on the exhaustion and 'challenging financial costs' that come with having children get into both co-curricular and extra-curricular activities: 'At the end of the day, we are not just investing in a skill or a hobby. It is investing in who they are becoming, stronger, braver, and more fulfilled versions of themselves.'
Filipino Times
09-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Thousands of Filipinos in Italy gather for Sandiwa Filitalia and Kalayaan 2025 celebration
The Filipino community in Italy gathered at Milan's Piazza Sempione to celebrate Sandiwa Filitalia, the main event of Kalayaan 2025, marking the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence and 78 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy. Led by the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Consul General Elmer G. Cato, and the Kalayaan 2025 Organizing Committee of the Bayanihan Council of Northern Italy, the month-long celebration brought together thousands of Filipinos at the historical Arco della Pace, featuring traditional folk dances, kundiman songs, and modern dance performances. In his speech, Consul General Cato highlighted the values of unity and bayanihan, emphasizing how these two pillars continue to guide the Filipino diaspora in Northern Italy. Food stalls also offered popular Filipino treats like halo-halo and kakanin, while families enjoyed cultural booths and exhibits showcasing Filipino traditions. Earlier on May 13, the third edition of the Kalayaan Run and Palarong Pambata kicked off, organized by Pinoy Runners Milan. Held at Parco Nord, hundreds participated in the 5K and 2.5K fun runs, while children eagerly joined traditional Filipino games. A different flavor of home was brought to Milan on June 12, as the Consulate hosted 'Mekeni, Mangan Tamu: A Taste of Pampanga,' turning the Kalayaan Hall into a culinary showcase. Two of Pampanga's finest chefs, Manuela Cherry Tan and Leonard Vincent Garcia, delighted guests with iconic Kapampangan dishes such as sisig, arobu, kare-kare, and nasing marangle, honoring Angeles City's nomination as Asia's Best Culinary City Destination at the 2025 World Culinary Awards. The celebration also featured Hiyas ng Kalayaan Ball at Palazzo Barozzi, a fashion show of traditional and modern Filipino clothing. The Sandiwa FilItalia was capped by a moving musical performance from Filipino singer Armand Curameng, whose renditions of Italian and classic OPM stirred emotions and memories of home. (Alona Cochon)
Filipino Times
07-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Former The Filipino Times editor and content creator wins TikTok Bootcamp in Dubai; bags $15K, UAE Golden Visa
A Filipina journalist-turned-content creator based in Dubai, has been named one of five standout winners at the inaugural TikTok x Creators HQ Bootcamp in the Middle East, receiving a share of a USD 15,000 cash prize and a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. Justin Aguilar, who previously served as Head of Content and Senior Assistant Editor at The Filipino Times, was the only Filipina selected for the exclusive five-day program. 'Winning was incredible,' Aguilar said. 'But more than that, it felt like being seen—not just as a creator, but as a storyteller. Being able to represent Filipinos in this regional space made it all the more meaningful.' Despite being relatively new to content creation and having a smaller follower base than most of her peers, Aguilar stood out for her authentic, story-driven approach, earning praise from both TikTok officials and industry mentors. 'As a beginner in this space, I never expected to win—especially among creators with millions of followers,' said Aguilar, who has worked as a journalist for the past nine years. 'This experience gave me a massive confidence boost and affirmed that I have something valuable to offer. I feel so privileged to have learned directly from TikTok. It was a creative reset that reminded me why I love storytelling in the first place.' The bootcamp, organized in partnership with the UAE Government's Creators HQ, brought together a select group of emerging digital talents for intensive training in video storytelling, editing, production, and creative strategy. Held in June 2025 at the Creators HQ facility in Dubai, the bootcamp featured workshops on photography, studio production, CapCut editing, and storytelling techniques led by experts and prominent creators in the digital industry. As one of five top awardees, Aguilar also received an exclusive tour of TikTok MENA Headquarters, a meet-and-greet with TikTok's regional team, premium membership to Creators HQ, access to its state-of-the-art facilities, and VIP passes to the upcoming 1 Billion Summit in 2026. The initiative aligns with the UAE's broader mission to become a global hub for digital creativity. Creators HQ, launched in January 2025 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is backed by a AED 150 million (~USD 40 million) Content Creators Support Fund and hosts more than 300 creator-focused events annually.
