The discovery of the Philippines is linked to  Spain's glorious chain of conquests.  On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons commanded by Great Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of  the king and queen of Spain set sail from San lucar de Barrameda to search for the Spice Islands.  They did not find the spice island, instead they landed in Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte  in the central part of the Philippines.  Magellan took possession of the islands and named it after  King Philip of Spain. 

Magellan's expedition headed for Cebu and found the island hospitable. He made Cebu the base of his exploration, christianization and conquests.   His arrival was embraced by Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu and converted them to Christianity.  However, their friendly relations abruptly ended following to Magellan's attempt to unify neighboring islands and to install Humabon of Cebu as the supreme chief.  The Chief of  Mactan, named Lapulapu strongly opposed  the proposition and declared war against Magellan.   Magellan  was defeated and  killed.  Magellan's men return to Spain  and unexpectedly set a record to be the  first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition  to the Far East Region. An Augustinian  priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived  inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico was summoned to lead the expedition.  On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.

DISCOVERY OF THE IMAGE OF THE SANTO NINO

Because of  Cebuanos perception that their return is bringing retribution to Magellan's death,  another battle broke out.  But heavy  artilleries and huge cannons  forced the natives to flee to the mountain  leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground.  As Spanish soldiers inspected the burnt village, one soldier found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed  inside a  wooden box. As earlier authenticated entry in the Journal of Pigafetta, clerk in the Magellan expedition, explains the origin of Santo Nino: "On the day Queen Juana was baptized by Father Pedro Valderama, chaplain of that expedition, Pigaffeta himself presented her with the Image."  The same Image now lies in the Basilica del Santo Nino and become a favorite destination for millions of pilgrims each year.  For four and half centuries now, the Image of  Santo Nino continues to make wonders in the lives of many Filipinos. On the third Sunday of each year, in Cebu,  millions flock to the streets for a colorful festivity, honoring and placing the Island and the entire Philippines under His Patronage.

During the last World War, a bomb fell inside the Church but the Image was recovered unscathed.  It was one of the numerous  miracles and powers attributed to the Holy Image.   

In 1965 the historic Santo Nino Church was renovated for the observance of the Fourth Centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines held in Cebu City.  It was during the centennial celebration that the Santo Nino Church was elevated to the rank of Basilica Minore by the Sacred Congregation of Rites with all the rights and privileges accruing to such title.

THE SANTO NINO DE CEBU ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
In 1968, Sally Famarin brought the devotion/tradition to the Bay Area.  Her tireless effort has brought national distinction to Americans of Filipino descent, and the Santo Nino Fiesta become a recipient  of numerous  Proclamations from  top US government and  ecclesiastical officials as one of the most beautiful celebration and a recognition of the continuing friendship and outstanding achievements of Filipino-American community. The devotion of the Santo Nino was  also considered the means of inspiring the highest values in upholding sacred traditions of Philippine culture and heritage here in the Bay Area.  Through the late Fr. McGee,  pastor of the St. Joseph Church in San Francisco, a marble altar was constructed to enthrone the Image of the Santo Nino de Cebu inside St. Joseph Church.  On January 17, 1982  a mass in honor of the Santo Nino was celebrated in thanksgiving for the passing of the US Congress Resolution in recognition of the Shrine as part of National Registry of Cultural and Historical Places. The Vatican and Pope John Paul II also sent an Apostolic Blessing, and said "by this time of writing, the Santo Nino de Cebu is the only Filipino identity that is registered in the National Registry of cultural and Historical Places in Washington D.C·.The Santo Nino in San Francisco strengthen that Image."      Unfortunately, few  years later, Fr. McGee  a strong supporter of the Santo Nino de Cebu Association, died  and the new pastor ordered the removal  of the historic shrine from St. Joseph Church,  and subsequently shut its door to the entire organization.     But the acceptance of Merci Ginelsa Alicaway to lead the association has revived the organization. In 1991 Fr. Martin de Poress Walsh, O.P.,  former Pastor of St. Dominic's Church  welcomed the organization to his Parish in San Francisco. 

Today, the Santo Nino de Cebu Association International at St. Dominic's Church has continued the lead in upholding its centuries-old devotion to the Holy Infant
Jesus.  The Association also has become one of the members of its multi ethnic
Parish Community in San Francisco.