2012 Dinagyang Festival to focus more on religiosity

THE Dinagyang Festival in 2012 will not just give pomp, pageantry and colors but also emphasis on religiosity, particularly on the Ilonggos’ veneration of the patron saint Señor Santo Niño.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who met with Agustinian priests of Arevalo and San Jose parishes, said major changes will be made on the religious events of the festival. The Santo Niño in Arevalo church will be given more focus, he added.

The Arevalo church hosts the third oldest Santo Niño image in the entire country and was seldom given honor during the festival.

Mabilog said the image will be brought from the Arevalo church to San Jose church, where it will stay for a few days until the arrival of the Santo Niño de Cebu.

The image from Cebu was brought to Iloilo four days before the Dinagyang festival proper and devotees flock to San Jose church to pay homage to the Sto. Niño.

Mabilog said the historical Arevalo image will be given due recognition during the Dinagyang festival in 2012 as an important religious and historical icon.

Sun Star

Posted in: Dinagyang Updates