Salibanda and the Sto. Nino

Yesterday (the third Sunday of January) was the Feast of the Sto. Niño, or child Jesus. While priests gave sermons about how Christ wants us to be like children, some folks in Laguna celebrated the Salibanda the day before (Saturday).

During the Salibanda parade, people line the streets or wait atop their rooftops. They fling coins to the crowd below, and even splash each other with water similar to what happens in San Juan during the feast of St. John the Baptist.

To learn more about the Salibanda, and what makes it unique among the Sto. Niño celebrations, check out: http://www.paete.org/abtpaete/saliband.htm

[ First posted on 01/20/2003 by Manuel Viloria ]