Philippine Embassy Joins Filipino Community in Tokyo in Celebrating Feast of Santo Niño
Philippine Embassy in Japan Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus (last row, 2nd from right) and Ms. Josefa Monterey (last row, rightmost) attended the celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño (Child Jesus) organized by the John de Britto English Center on 18 January 2026 at St. Ignatius Church in Yotsuya.
The Philippine Embassy in Japan joined the Filipino community in Tokyo in celebrating the Feast of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) in January 2026.
Officials from the Embassy, led by Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus, participated in eucharistic celebrations, activities, and Filipino community-led gatherings at St. Ignatius Church in Yotsuya, organized by the John de Britto English Center on 18 January 2026, and at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Bunkyo City, organized by the Gathering of Filipino Groups and Communities (GFGC) and the Catholic Tokyo International Center (CTIC), represented by Fr. Edwin Corros on 24 January 2026.
Philippine Embassy Third Secretary and Vice Consul Antonio Emmanuel R. Miranda delivered the mass reading during the celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) on 18 January 2026 at St. Ignatius Church in Yotsuya organized by the John de Britto English Center.
“Guided by the theme of the feast this year, ‘In Santo Niño, we are one,’ these Filipino Community gatherings in honor of the Child Jesus are a fitting tribute to the values that Santo Niño has symbolized – unity, humility, and love for our fellowmen. We at the Philippine Embassy are one with the Filipino community in celebrating this occasion, and encourage Filipinos to be active members of society, embodying the Filipino values of pakikipagkapwa-tao (treating others with respect and kindness) and bayanihan (spirit of unity and cooperation),” underscored Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano in a statement following the celebrations.
Filipino Community members and other attendees participate in the “Sinulog” procession during the Feast of Santo Niño (Child Jesus) celebration on 24 January 2026 Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Bunkyo City organized by the Gathering of Filipino Group and Communities (GFGC) and Catholic Tokyo International Center (CTIC).
The celebrations were highlighted by the traditional Sinulog dances and processions led by the Filipino community and other attendees. The Sinulog dance, with origins from Cebu Province in the Philippines, is a lively and vibrant dance routine honoring the Santo Niño.
Philippine Embassy representatives with volunteers from the Gathering of Filipino Group and Communities (GFGC); Catholic Tokyo International Center (CTIC), represented by Fr. Edwin Corros (2nd row, 3rd from right), and officials from the Apostolic Nunciature to Japan during the Feast of Santo Niño (Child Jesus) celebration on 24 January 2026 Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Bunkyo City.
During the celebrations, the Embassy also took the opportunity to invite the Filipino community and other eventgoers to participate in the Embassy’s activities in 2026, particularly those commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations.
