9th Joso Sinulog Festival: A Snowy, Joyful Sunday!

“May your hope keep you joyful” wrote St. Paul to the Romans (Rom.12:12)

The 9th Sinulog festivities of Joso Catholic Church, Ibaraki prefecture started with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Nelson Barbarona, SVD at 10:30 a.m., before the mass, a Sinulog dance was done by Joso group followed by the baptism of Rajah Humabon and Hara Humamay, the First Filipino Christian rulers. After mass, Fr. Nelson blessed the Sto. Niño images and led the procession. Filipinos from Joso, Tsukuba, Toride, Mito, Shimodate, Yuki, Numata, Maebashi and Honjo joined the procession.

All sizes and colors of Sto. images danced to the rhythmic beat of Sinulog upon reaching the Church. Their loud shouts of “PIT, SENYOR” warmed the chilly afternoon.The big crowd listened to a short talk on this year’s theme, “Sto. Niño: Pag-asa Ng Bayan” given by Sr. Marianita, FI in Tagalog. The lovely and colorful Sinulog dances were presented by Joso, Toride, Tsukuba and Numata Filipino Communities. A solo song number was rendered by a representative from Mito Church and a surprise finale number from Maebashi Filipino Community moved everyone to dance to the revival tunes of the ‘60s. A Filipino rock band intermission number also added to the fever-pitch joy of the event. Door Prize winners of more than 70 consolation prizes and a grand prize of free round-trip plane ticket were drawn at the end of the program.

Lastly, the officers and members of Joso Church Filipino Community would like to thank Fr. Nelson, SVD, Sr. Rosario, FI, all their generous sponsors, benefactors, visitors, foreign friends and volunteers who made this year’s Sinulog event another big success. To Mother Mary and her Son, our dear Sto. Niño; thank you very much!