[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Hundreds of devotees join fluvial procession ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RESEL JOY TIANERO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Saturday, January 21, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
ILOILO City – Hundreds of devotees of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) joined yesterday afternoon’s fluvial procession at the Iloilo River.
San Jose Parish’s replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was the center of the procession – an annual event in line with the Dinagyang Festival.
The procession started at Fort San Pedro around 3 p.m. It ended in front of the Bureau of Customs building on Muelle Loney Street and from there, a foot procession commenced until the replica was returned to the San Jose Church.
In past Dinagyang festivals, it was the pilgrim image of the Santo Niño de Cebu that was feted with fluvial processions. This year, however, the festival liturgical committee wanted to highlight the replica brought here in 1967 and enshrined at San Jose Church.
Next year, the replica will mark its 50th anniversary.
Santo Niño devotee Mae, who asked that she be not identified by her surname, said joining the fluvial procession has become a tradition for her.
“Nag-start ako in 2009,” she said.
Meanwhile, devotee Teresita said she believed the Santo Niño to be miraculous.
The Dinagyang started in 1968, a year after the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to the San Jose Parish.
The image, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
