A “Traslacion” (transfer) will serve as a prelude to this year’s fluvial procession, one of the highlights of the religious activities of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival on Friday, January 24.

In an interview, Rev. Fr. Nelson Zerda of the San Jose Placer Parish Church and organizer of the religious activities, said there will be a procession of the image of Señor Santo Niño going to the Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lapuz District after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on January 23.

“Traslacion is bringing the image to the area where the fluvial starts. Before, there was none because the fluvial had only one starting and end point,” Zerda said.

He added they chose a church in Lapuz as it is closest to the embarkation area.

“He will stay there overnight. The following day, around 1:00 p.m., Señor Santo Niño will be brought to Lapuz [wharf], where the fluvial procession will start,” he said.

Zerda said the fluvial procession will be joined by 10 fiber boats, which will be loaded with only 50 percent of the allowed passenger capacity.

The fluvial procession will be followed by the solemn foot procession from Muelle Loney to the San Jose Church.

“The new thing here is that San Jose and the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Family, will join. This is very fitting for our theme, which is Synodality in Church,” Zerda said.

On Saturday, January 25, a two-hour grand religious “sadsad” (merrymaking) will be held in front of the church, starting at 7:00 p.m.

There will be a pontifical Mass at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 26.

“Dinagyang,” from the Hiligaynon word “dagyang” (merrymaking), is one of several feasts in honor of the Child Jesus.

Kalibo, Aklan (Ati-Atihan); Cebu City, Cebu (Sinulog); and Tondo and Pandacan in Manila celebrate the Sto. Niño feast every third Sunday of January. (PNA)