In Historic First, Iloilo’s Santo Niño Leads Dinagyang Traslacion

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

Hundreds of fervent devotees witnessed history as Iloilo City held its first-ever Traslacion of the Señor Santo Niño de Cebu image on January 23, marking a significant addition to the Dinagyang Festival traditions.

The sacred procession charted a path from San Jose Parish in Placer to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lapuz, with worshippers gathering at Plaza Libertad to lift the revered image in veneration. The evening ceremony illuminated the streets as faithful carried the Santo Niño through the heart of Iloilo.

This inaugural Traslacion serves as a spiritual prelude to tomorrow’s fluvial parade, scheduled for 1:00 PM at Bacolod Wharf in Lapuz. The combination of these religious observances adds new depth to Dinagyang’s cultural tapestry, bridging Cebuano and Ilonggo traditions in a display of shared faith.

The historic procession signals an evolution in one of the Philippines’ most celebrated festivals, interweaving time-honored devotion with fresh expressions of spiritual practice.