Panagtagbo Festival

The Panagtagbo Festival is an adaptation of the “Traslacion” or the transfer of the image of the Holy Child from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to St. Joseph Church in Mandaue City. “Panagtagbo” is a Cebuano term for meeting or gathering of the Holy Family which is celebrated every 3rd Friday of January in line with the celebration of the Fiesta Senyor. During the occasion, the Most Holy Child Jesus (Sr. Sto. Niño), His Mother (Birhen sa Guadalupe), the Patroness of Cebu and St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Mandaue City holds a divine meeting at the National Shrine of St. Joseph. During the “Panagtagbo”, the Holy Family is greeted with gleeful singing and street dancing by the townspeople in colorful costumes in honor of the celebration.