Iloilo’s 2011 Dinagyang Festival looked forward to heighten people’s devotion to Sr. Sto Niño with its ‘religious sadsad’ which according to several testimonies had already granted devotees’ petitions.
Dinagyang Festival 2011
The activity slated Jan 22 will boost the second day of the three-day highlights of the annual Dinagyang Festival.
“This is one-hour non-stop dance offering to Señor Santo Niño”, Dominador ‘Jun’ Rivera, chairman of the festival’s Liturgical Committee said.
It will start at exactly 7:00 p.m. in front of San Jose Parish Church just adjacent the historic Plaza Libertad.
Rivera added that devotees may create their own steps during the ‘sadsad’ which they can use for the religious dance simultaneous with their offering of personal prayers, wishes and petitions.
“We have been receiving some letters here and even abroad informing us that their petitions were granted to them after joining the activity in previous years”, he said.
Rivera also said this religious dance has been a longtime practice but it was not given focus for several years.
This time, he said that the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival organizer wants this religious event be given emphasis even as it encourages the public to be part of the activity.
Meanwhile, aside from the ‘religious sadsad’ the religious component of the festival will also include blessings of children, pregnant mothers and Santo Niño images and feeding of children, among others.
The religious activity will be highlighted by the fluvial procession afternoon of Jan 22.
Meantime, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, one of the triumvirate organizing the 2011 Dinagyang Festival will also be showcasing Dinagyang souvenirs to include shirts, Señor Santo Niño icons, mascaras and key chains among others.