Amidst the vibrant and lively celebrations of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, Ilonggos continue to uphold their deep devotion to the heart of the festivities, Señor Santo Niño de Cebu.
This devotion was evident as thousands of faithful gathered in front of San Jose Parish Placer church in Iloilo City for the annual Grand Religious Sadsad. Held on the eve before the feast day, this solemn yet jubilant tradition is an offering of hymns, chants, and prayers to the Holy Child.
For decades, Jona Dalton, a resident of Iloilo City Proper, has been a steadfast devotee. She and her family make it a point to participate in both the annual fluvial procession and the Grand Religious Sadsad, carrying with them an image of the Holy Child that has been in their family since 1981. This sacred heirloom was passed down by her aunt, Consuelo Panado.
“It was the year Pope John Paul II visited Iloilo. We brought the image to the Jaro Cathedral, and the Pope himself saw it. He blessed it and raised it,” Jona fondly recalled.
Since then, her family’s devotion to Señor Santo Niño has only deepened, strengthened by countless experiences of faith and miracles.
From 2005 to 2015, her family had been involved in organizing a Dinagyang tribe for the festival’s annual competition. At the heart of their performances was the image of Santo Niño, carried as a symbol of faith and protection.
She vividly remembers a night in 2015 when they narrowly escaped a road accident while returning from a late-night practice.
“I know in my heart it was Santo Niño who saved us. He knew our journey was for Him. Every single one of us was unharmed,” she said as tears well up from her eyes.
For many Ilonggos like Jona, the Grand Religious Sadsad is more than just a tradition, it is a spiritual vow and a heartfelt display of gratitude.
“Sadsad is a religious activity of singing, chanting, and dancing for our beloved Señor Santo Niño. Through this, we give praise and honor to God, the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. We cry out ‘Viva, Viva, Viva Pit Señor!’ in joyful worship,” said Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, OSA, who led the gathering.
This year’s celebrations also saw a historic first, the inaugural “Traslacion” in Iloilo City’s Fiesta Señor. The San Jose Parish Placer team ministry led a solemn procession that brought the image of the Holy Child to His mother, the Beloved Virgin Mary, at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lapuz district.
Following this, the annual fluvial and foot procession reenacted the first arrival of Santo Niño in Iloilo, with thousands of devotees joining in reverence.
For Jona and countless others, joining the Sadsad is a sacred commitment, an act of faith offered in prayer for good health, protection, and family unity. For some, it is also a petition for blessings, success in exams, financial stability, or even the gift of a child.
The Grand Religious Sadsad is a living testament to the unwavering faith and harmony of the Ilonggos. As the chants and songs echo through the streets, they carry with them the people’s love and devotion to Señor Santo Niño.
Through time and progress, as the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged, Señor Santo Niño remains at the heart of the Ilonggo faith, a symbol of enduring hope and devotion. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)
