By Emme Rose Santiagudo
A new religious event in the upcoming Dinagyang Festival 2020 will further highlight the devotion of Ilonggos to Señor Sto. Niño or Holy Child Jesus.
The “Kasanag Niño,” one of the religious events for Dinagyang 2020, will feature Ilonggo devotees who will light up 5,000 candles and form a big image of the Sto. Niño.
According to Rev. Fr. Edsel Alcayaga, parish priest of San Jose de Placer, they conceptualized the new event so that they have something new to offer the devotees and Dinagyang guests.
“It’s a new event. As far as I know diri palang na naton himuon sa Iloilo, waay pa ko sang iban nabal-an pa,” he said in a press conference on Monday.
Fr. Alcayaga said they took inspiration from the lighted image of the Holy Rosary that was formed in front of the parish last year.
“We thought it’s a good thing to do it with the image of Sto. Niño. We will make use of 5,000 candles and devotees will form a big image of Sto. Niño,” he said.
Last October, Ilonggo devotees lighted 3,000 candles to form the image of the Holy Rosary as part of the celebration of the Month of the Holy Rosary.
The “Kasanag Niño” is slated on January 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in Plaza Libertad.
Meanwhile, other religious events for Dinagyang 2020 include the Novena Days from January 15-23, 2020; Installation of Hermano Mayor and Hermana Mayores 2020 on January 15; Re- enactment of the Wedding of Princess Isabel on January 16; Talk to the Youth on Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) on January 17; and fun day for the children of the barangays of the parish on January 18, 2020.
The replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu which was recently welcomed in Iloilo City have also scheduled visitation in schools, hospitals, and selected establishments.
The highlights of the religious events of Dinagyang 2020 will be the fluvial procession and solemn foot procession on January 24 at 3:00 p.m. and the Grand Religious Sadsad on January 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Fr. Alcayaga encouraged the public especially Dinagyang revelers to make time and participate in the religious activities amid the other festivities during Dinagyang.
“As we celebrate the festival, let us also give attention, give time to the religious activities that the San Jose Parish has lined up in connection with the feast of Sto. Niño,” he said.
