BARCELONA, 21 January 2024 - The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, the City of Barcelona and the Filipino Community joined together to celebrate the Sinulog 2024 festivities, in a cultural event held at Plaza San Agustin and the historic San Agustin Church on 24 January, 2024.
Led by the Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo Ruiz, where the San Agustin Church is situated, this year's event was marked by a collaboration with various parishes in Barcelona's Ciutat Vella district. A central feature of the celebration was the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu statue, a donation from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to the Consulate, now displayed at San Agustin Church.
The event included performances by various Filipino religious and civic organizations, which showcased the history and significance of the Santo Niño de Cebu. The program began with a historical reenactment of the Santo Niño’s arrival in Limasawa in 1521 and featured dynamic Sinulog Festival dances.
Albert Battle i Bastardas, Councillor from the Ciutat Vella District and Third Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, expressed appreciation for the Filipino community's contribution to Barcelona's cultural diversity, particularly highlighting the Sinulog celebration.
Philippine Consul General to Barcelona, Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, emphasized the Consulate’s role in promoting Philippine culture and its shared history with Spain, especially the influence of Catholicism. She recalled the Consulate's 2021 initiative of introducing Santo Niño statue replicas to Barcelona, culminating in a parade inside the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.
The outdoor Sinulog celebration featured a community dance to the “Pit Senyor” theme, engaging both Filipinos and locals in a vibrant display of cultural unity.
The event concluded with a Eucharistic mass at San Agustin Church, led by Father Pere Carulla and co-celebrated by Filipino and Spanish priests from various parishes.
Further Santo Niño activities are scheduled for January 28, 2024, at the Parish of San Pedro Nolasco and the Parish of Madre de Deu de Betlem, showcasing the Santo Niño de Pandacan and Santo Niño de Tondo statues, also on loan from the Consulate.
For more information and updates, please visit the Consulate's official website or follow on Facebook, Instagram and X (@PHinBarcelona). END
PHOTO CAPTIONS
(Poster courtesy of the Ajuntament de Barcelona)
Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro addressing the Filipino community and Spanish guests
Reenactment of the arrival of the Santo Niño in Limasawa by Koro Kudyapi members
Sinulog 2024 performers from the Filipino community
University students Anna Cagigal Herrera and Lia Alejo dancing with Sinulog performers
Filipino and Spanish guests dancing to the beat of Pit Senyor
Eucharistic Mass Celebration with Father Pere Carulla and Filipino priests concelebrating