Ilonggos should maintain religiosity of Dinagyang festival–Rivera
EVEN if the Dinagyang festival was adjudged as best tourism event in the country for three consecutive years, Ilonggos should remember the yearly festival was born out of the feast and devotion to Senor Sto. Nino.
Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Inc. (IDFI) chair of the religious committee Jun Rivera said Ilonggos must not forget the meaning and significance of the Dinagyang which is a devotion to the Child Jesus. Its religiosity should be given emphasis.
In a recent press briefing, Rivera urged devotees to attend the novena masses to be offered to Sto. Nino. The nine-day novena masses will be held at the San Jose Parish Church starting Jan. 13- 21. There would be a mass in the morning and afternoon.
The religiosity of the event and commercialism has been a subject of debate between the different sectors of the society and the organizer. “The San Jose Parish Church and the city government are now partners,” said Rivera.
Rivera described the Child Jesus a “playful child.” He recalled an event where former Mayor Tita Caram lost her one earring during a procession. The earring cost P25,000. However, they found the earring in the Sto. Nino dress after they changed it.
He added the pilgrim image of Senor Sto. Nino from Cebu will arrive here 7 a.m. of Jan 20 at the Iloilo Port Terminal. There would be a procession from the port to the San Jose Parish Church. A mass would be celebrated after the procession.
Rivera encouraged devotees to refrain from bringing young children during the fluvial procession set in the afternoon of Jan.22. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would be very strict in implementing the rules to avoid any untoward sea accident.
The fluvial procession will start from the Fort San Pedro Drive Inn until the Customs House. A solemn procession towards the San Jose Parish Church then follows where parents are encouraged to bring their children garb in different Sto. Nino costumes, said Rivera.
