ILOILO City – Devotees of Señor Sto. Niño participated in the Dinagyang Festival 2023’s religious sadsad at the San Jose de Placer Church on Saturday, Jan. 21.
Sadsad is a prayer and worship dance where people dance lasting an hour or two while carrying religious icons.
Panay News spotted Wilhelma Andrade, 76, of Barangay San Juan, Molo district joining the religious sadsad. She carried an over-20-year-old image of Señor Sto. Niño while jostling in the crowd.
Andrade said her prayers are being granted, so she never misses joining the religious practice.
The senior citizen said that despite her husband not having a regular job, they were able to survive and make ends meet.
“Ang akon mga bata 11 ka bilog, gin-ampo ko lang sila kay Señor Sto. Niño kag napadaku ko man sila kag napa-eskwela. Ina nga bagay blessing na ina halin sa iya,” the devotee said.
She added that she always asks for good health, and Señor Sto. Niño has been granting this.
Andrade encourages Ilonggos, particularly those who have lost faith, to confide in the Child Jesus.
“Indi lang sila madulaan sang paglaum kag bilang deboto padayun ang pagsalig, hulat lang sila nga may pagpa-umod, pasenya kag paubos kay saksi ako sang pagsabat ni Señor Sto. Niño sang akon pangamuyo,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Duyo of Barangay Zamora, City Proper and Ann Duron of Barangay Boulevard, Molo made it their friendship tradition to join the religious sadsad together.
Even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they never stopped to thank Señor Sto. Niño for the blessings they received, especially for their good health.
“Naga-sadsad gid kami kada Dinagyang kag bisan sang may COVID-19 gani ari kami di,” they said.
Duron, a devotee for around 10 years now, added: “Hatagan lang kami sang maayo nga lawas kag sige-sige nga obra nga wala may ginabatyag.”
Similarly, Riza Tuares, 53, of Lemery, Iloilo, joined the religious sadsad to ask for good health for her and her family.
“Damo man ang natuman ko nga wish. Isa na dira nga ginhatagan niya ako sang maayo nga lawas kag nakakita sang obra sa Iloilo City,” said Tuares.
Meanwhile, Olive Villava, 61, a resident of Roxas City, shared that this year was her first time participating in the religious sadsad.
Villava went to the San Jose de Placer Parish to thank Señor Sto. Niño for guiding her daughter who recently gave birth.
“Bal-an mo nagbata akon bata diri sa Western Visayas [Medical Center]. Eight months pa lang ang busong ‘ya pero okay man ang pagbata ‘ya. Amo na nga nagkadto gid ako diri para magpangayo nga guide ‘ya gid ang bata ko kag magpasalamat man kay waay ‘ya man ginpabay-an ang akon bata,” said Villava./PN
