The Filipino Community in Switzerland, led by the Philippine Catholic Mission’s Chaplain, Father Antonio Enerio, SVD, celebrated the Feast of Sto. Niño on 20 January 2019 in Zürich.

The Feast, dubbed as the mother of all Philippine feasts according to Fr. Enerio, gathered some 800 Filipinos from the cantons of Aargau, Basel, Berne, Geneva, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Vaud, Zug, and Zürich, among others.

The celebration commenced with a concelebrated mass, followed by lunch which featured Filipino delicacies such as lechon, pancit, menudo and other Filipino favorites.

Filipino groups from different Cantons performed traditional dances associated with the Feast, resembling the typical Filipino fiesta where families and friends gathered in celebration of friendship, faith, and tradition.

The Philippines is country with a predominantly Catholic population, which has highly influenced and shaped Filipino traditions.

Dressed in traditional attire, some Filipino women participate during the procession preceding the Mass to celebrate the Feast of Sto. Niño.

Filipinos from all over Switzerland, headed by Fr. Enerio (middle in white frock) who also is the Chaplain of the Philippine Catholic Mission in

                                                       Switzerland, joined the celebration referred to as the “mother of Philippine feasts”.

 Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan (middle) led the Philippine Embassy during the celebration.

Filipinos from all over Switzerland, in their traditional Filipiñana costume, perform traditional dances associated with the Feast.