Religious ‘sadsad’ gathers thousands of Ilonggo devotees

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By John Noel E. Herrera 

Thousands of Ilonggos again showed their devotion to Señor Santo Niño as they joined the religious “sadsad” on Jan 21, 2023, after it was halted for two years due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Sadsad” is a form of religious devotion where devotees dance and pray as they offer their intentions or wishes to Señor Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus.

Ilonggo devotees danced and sang in rhythm while carrying images of the Holy Child in front of the San Jose Parish, hoping that their intentions or wishes would be granted.

Committee on Religious Activities chairperson Robert Alor said that the event was not just a simple part of the Dinagyang Festival, as it shows the true essence of the celebration – to be thankful to the Santo Niño who never fails to guide and bless all the Ilonggos.

“This shows our deep devotion to Señor Santo Niño, and it is not just through the fluvial parade, but really the sadsad also,” he said.

Alor added that there were even testimonies that some people who joined the sadsad experienced different miraculous acts.

“May mga ara nga dugay na nga nagapanata and true to what all of us believe, naka-experience sila something nga positive sa ila. May-ara nga ang ila mga napangamuyo, mga rason ngaa sila gapanata, natuman. Ina hindi man na naton gid ma-explain, siguro ang pagsalig gid,” he shared.

Some devotees previously said they were eager to attend the event again, including the fluvial and foot procession, to show their strong devotion and faith in Sto. Niño after the celebration of culture and faith stopped for two years.

“Wala man na gabag-o akon pagtu-o kay Señor Sto. Niño kay halin sang una, ang guide nga ginahatag ya, sobra-sobra gid, kag subong nga nagbalik na ang prosisyon, ti manami lang kay pamaagi man ni para mabalik man bala kag pasalamat sa mga grasya nga nahatag ya,” according to Cecil, 49, from Calumpang, Molo.

A devotee from City Proper district also said that she’s been joining the “sadsad” for five years already.

She was also worried that there would be fewer people who would join the event since it was held at the same time as the Dinagyang ILOmination.

“Tani pareho man sang-una, damo man ma-upod kay ti ang Sadsad gin dungan man nila sa daw bag-o bala to nga didto sa Mandurriao (Dinagyang ILOmination),” alias Gina previously said.

But Gina’s worry did not happen on the day of the event as the flames of the candles were also as bright as the lights during the ILOmination – an obvious example that Ilonggos still know and value the real reason why Iloilo celebrates the Dinagyang Festival.

As Robert Alor also said, “sa sadsad ya wala sang pili, bata ukon tigulang, may disabled, dira mo na makit-an, elbow to elbow kamo da, gabitbit sang Sto. Nino images of different sizes, bug-at pero ginakarga gid because nabatyagan nila nga wala gid sang kabug-at basta ang pagtu-o ara.”