ILOILO City – Praying to stop the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections is okay but it may not be enough. People should observe the public health safety protocols, according to the parish priest of the San Jose de Placer Church here.
The parish, which originated the Dinagyang Festival 50 years ago, scrapped on Friday the traditional fluvial procession in honor of the Santo Niño to dissuade devotees from gathering. It instead held a motor vehicle caravan around the city.
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the Ilonggos celebrated Dinagyang. There were no live street dancing of Ati tribes. The performances were prerecorded and just streamed on Facebook.
It is the same this year, on Jan. 23. The prerecorded performances would be shown on the official Facebook pages of the Iloilo City government, Mayor Jerry Treñas and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Reverend Father Renchie Vicente Senoro, OSA, challenged Santo Niño devotees and Dinagyang revelers to practice their faith by cooperating with health authorities.
This means wearing facemask, observing physical distancing, isolating when experiencing flu-like symptoms, seeking medical help, and leaving home only when necessary, said Senoro.
“Ang simbahan padayun sa pagpangamuyo nga madula na ang virus. Pero nagakinahanglan man ang simbahan sang cooperation sang devotees,” Senoro told Panay News.
On Jan. 21, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 recorded 1,532 new COVID-19 infections in Western Visayas. Of these, Iloilo City accounted for 485 new cases – the highest among the areas in the region.
“Indi lang magpangamuyo kundi ipakita nila paagi sa pag-participate or cooperation, sa pagsunod sang health protocols,” said Senoro.
Here are the other new COVID-19 cases in Region 6 recorded on Friday:
* Aklan – 127
* Antique – 86
* Capiz – 180
* Guimaras – 15
* Iloilo – 208
* Negros Occidental – 238
* Bacolod City – 193
Keep the faith, Senoro told Santo Niño devotes.
“Bisan ara kita sa pandemya indi pagdulaon ang paglaum. Si Señor Santo Niño naga-upod sa aton, padayun sia nga naga-ubay sa aton,” said Senoro.
Some 40 vehicles joined the Santo Niño motorcade on Friday afternoon.
Senoro led the motorcade.
RELIGIOUS SADSAD
This Saturday, Jan. 22, Senoro will lead the Dinagyang religious sadsad (dance worship) at the San Jose de Placer Church.
But only a limited number of devotees would be allowed to enter the church – only 30 percent of the church’s maximum capacity – due to the pandemic.
This will ensure physical distancing among the devotees, said Senoro.
“Sa original plan dapat sa gwa ang sadsad,” he revealed, but crowd control may become a challenge.
The parish has people tasked to ensure that health protocols are followed while the sadsad is ongoing.
“Sa ila pagsadsad, pagkaway-kaway, nagasulod sa ila lawas ang presensya sang Gino-ong Dios kag nagapati sila nga sa pag-ubay sang Gino-ong Dios kag Senior Santo Niño mapasa-ila ang ginapangayo nila,” said Senoro./PN
