Santo Nino de Pandacan Parish

The history of Pandacan is the history of the miraculous image of Sto. Niño de Pandacan who is so dear to the heart of everyone and has inspired legions of devotees.

Believed to be more than 400 years old, the image of the Sto. Niño of Pandacan is carved out of dark wood. This wood is strikingly similar to the dark Mexican wood of the images of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo and the Black Madonna of Antipolo suggesting that like the latter two images, the Sto. Niño de Pandacan was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards via galleon trade from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila, Philippines.

In the early 1600, the miraculous black image of Sto Niño was found by little children playing in the field near a carabao wallow surrounded by Pandan plants. The place was then called “PANDANAN” which means pandan plantation. The Spaniards mispronounced the name thus changing it to “PANDACAN”. The spot is near the present Sto. Niño shrine at the right side of the Parish Church.

Since Pandacan at that time was still part of the parish of Sampaloc, the elders of Pandacan had the image enshrined at the Church of Our Lady of Loreto, along Bustillos St., Sampaloc, Manila.

After some time, however, the image inexplicably disappeared from Sampaloc only to be found in the same place where it had been first seen in Pandacan. When it was brought back to Sampaloc church, it disappeared the second time only to be found on the very same spot where it was originally discovered.

Believing that the miraculous image wanted a home in Pandacan, the elders of the barrio, together with the Franciscan Priests of Sampaloc, decided to build a “Visita” to enshrine the image. The “Visita” was constructed on the very spot where the Holy image was found. A spring of clear running water was unearthed which was later made into a well called “The Well of the Holy Child”. Many miracles and healing of the sick were received and witnessed by the faithful because of their fervent call to the Most Holy name of Jesus and the water from the well of the Holy Image. Devotion to the miraculous image of Sto. Niño de Pandacan grew and became so popular, captivating the heart of everyone.


Pandacan, then became a little Nazareth where everybody experienced the presence of Jesus in their midst just like any other ordinary person. Indeed, for more than 300 years now, the Sto. Niño has found a home not only in Pandacan but in the heart of every Pandaqueño and devotees from all walks of life. Truly, He is the “WORD MADE FLESH”; He is “EMMANUEL” - God is with us.