The traditional Señor Santo Niño fluvial and foot procession during the Dinagyang Festival may have been set aside this year because of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic but the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) found a way in lieu of it.

A religious motorcade in honor of Señor Santo Niño is one of the activities of the Dinagyang Digital 2021 slated on Friday, January 22 .

Robert Alor, overall in-charge of the Religious Sto. Niño Motorcade, said more than 20 images of Señor Sto. Niño will be carried through seven districts of the city during the motorcade.

The images include the “Golden Boy,” the replica of the Sto. Niño de Cebu brought to Iloilo in 1967.
The motorcade will start 2:00 p.m. at the San Jose Parish Church and will pass by Bo. Obrero Church, La Paz Church, Jaro Cathedral, Mandurriao Church, Arevalo Church, Molo Church, and back to San Jose Parish Church.
“Gina-imbitar naton ang mga pumoluyo nga indi magdagsa sa San Jose Parish kundi dira mismo sa mga dalanon kon diin magalabay ang motorcade naton,” said Alor.

Devotees could bring with them their Sto. Niño and other images and have them blessed when the motorcade pass by the streets where they are waiting.

“May ara kita sang San Jose Parish nga maga-bendita, mabenditahan ang mga images nila kon may mga bag-o man sila, so amo na ni ang chance,” said Alor.

This early, Alor asked the cooperation of the public to always follow the minimum health standard against COVID-19 while waiting for the motorcade to pass by their areas.

He also said that the motorcade will only be joined by limited number of vehicles due to restrictions.

Meanwhile, the virtual editions of religious sadsad will be livestreamed on Saturday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. The Dinagyang mass will be livestreamed, too, on January 24 at 7:00 a.m. on various online platforms and social media pages./WDJ