Philippine Embassy Joins the Filipino Catholic Community in Portugal in celebrating the 2025 Sinulog Festival

19 January 2025, Lisbon – The Philippine Embassy in Portugal joined the Filipino Catholic community in celebrating the Sinulog Festival in honor of the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu at the renowned Basilica da Estrela on 19 January 2025.

The annual Sinulog celebration was spearheaded by Filipino Chaplain, Father Jovito O. Osalvo, who led the community in a meaningful and faith-filled event. The program began with the performances of various Filipino community groups, showcasing the rich heritage and vibrant culture of the Philippines through colorful costumes and festive dance interpretations. This was followed by a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Rui Valerio, the Patriarch of Lisbon.

In his speech, Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes highlighted the significance of the Sinulog celebration in honoring the Filipino heritage while sharing it with the Portuguese community. He remarked, “This is what we aim to share with the people of Portugal and the rest of Europe—the faith that resides in the very core of the Filipino heart. This is our heritage, our faith, and our culture.” He also expressed gratitude to Father Osalvo and to the dedicated members of the Filipino community for their invaluable contributions and active involvement in community events.

After the mass, the Filipino community continued its celebration through a salu-salo of traditional Filipino dishes prepared by the members of the Filipino community. An estimated 200 Filipino and Portuguese attendees participated in the celebration.

The Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration held annually in Cebu, Philippines, every third Sunday of January in honor of the Santo Niño. The festival traces its origins to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator who gifted the image of the Sto. Niño to the wife of the chieftain, Raja Humabon. END