Dinagyang Festival 2012

Dinagyang Festival 2012 is on its way and this year, with the theme “Beyond Awards, A Culture of Excellence,” Major Jed Mabilog said that Dinagyang 2012 will be most significant since it will be celebrated with the City’s Diamond (75th) Jubilee Year.

This year, Dinagyang Festival have four major judging areas:

• Sports Complex
• Huervana- Luna (Andoks-Gaisano City-Injap Building Intersection)
• In Front of Old Provincial Capitol
• Freedom Grandstand

Dinagyang Festival 2012 Schedule of Activities

January 6-29, 2012, Friday

• 5:30 PM – Dinagyang Carnival rides, Back of SM City Iloilo Carpark
• 4:00 PM – Miss Dinagyang Talent Competition, SM City Iloilo Event Center

January 16, 2012, Monday

• 5:00 PM – Miss Teen Dinagyang Coronation, SM City Iloilo

January 17, 2012, Tuesday

• 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Dinagyang Food Aid Program for School Children I Arroyo Elementary School, Molo – I Arroyo Elementary School, Molo
• 10:00 AM – Healing Mass and Lunch Date for the Aged, Sick and Abandoned, San Jose Parish

January 18, 2012, Wednesday

• 4:30 PM – Coronation of Queen Juana 2012 and Niño Dinagyang 2012, San Jose Parish
• 7:00 PM – Miss Dinagyang Coronation Ceremony   Central Philippine University Gym

January 18-21, 2012

• 2nd Iloilo International Film Festival, SM City Iloilo Cinemas

January 19, 2012, Thursday

• 7:00 AM – Arrival of the Pilgrim Image of Señor Santo Nino from Cebu City, From Iloilo Port to San Jose Church
• 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Dinagyang Food Aid Program for School Children, Jalandoni Elementary School, Lapuz
• 5:00 PM – 5th Dinagyang Motor Show Competition, Robinsons Car Park
• 9:00 PM – SM Dinagyang Food Festival & Street Party with James Reid and Bret Jackson, SM City Parking Lot

January 19-20, 2012

• 7:00 PM – Dinagyang Pyrolympics: 2012 Luces in the Sky, SM City Parking Lot

January 19-22, 2012

• 5:00 PM – onward  - Dinagyang IHRRA Food Festival Delgado Street

January 20-21, 2012

• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM – 5th Iloilo Dinagyang National Age-Group Swimfest, Iloilo Sports Complex

January 20-21, 2012

• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM – 2nd Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog Badminton Cup Sportsville Sambag Jaro,  Sportsville Sambag Jaro

January 20-22, 2012

• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM – 2nd Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog Shooting Tournament,  CIPSA Firing Range, SUA Inland Resirt, Talanghuan, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

January 20, 2012, Friday

• 8:00 AM – Tambor, Trompa, Martsa, Musika, Freedom Grandstand
• 3:00 PM – Fluvial Procession
  -Fort San Pedro
  -Iloilo River
  -Aduana
  -Muelle Loney
  -Montinola Street
  - Caram Avenue
  -JM Basa
  -San Jose Parish Church
• 4:00:00 PM  - Dinagyang Kapamilya Dance Showdown – Grand Finals, SM City car park
• 7:00:00 PM – Beauty and Fashion Extraordinaire – Dinner Show with variety shows featuring Manila talents, My City My Culinary, Kapamilya Caravan, and Kapamilya Dance Showdown, Sarabia Manor Hotel
• 8:00:00 PM – SM City Iloilo Food  Festival with variety shows featuring Manila talents, My City My Culinary, Kapamilya Caravan, and Kapamilya Dance Showdown, SM City car park

January 21-22, 2012

• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM – 3rd National Invitational Arnis Tournament – Dinagyang Bastonero 2012, St. Therese MTC College

January 21, 2012, Saturday

• 7:00:00 AM – Mass for Kasadyahan, San Jose Parish Church
• 7:00 A.M. – On-the-Spot Painting Contest, Museo Iloilo
• 7:30 AM -  3rd Iloilo Dinagyang Cheerleading Competition Iloilo Sports Complex
• ART EXIBIT Museo Iloilo
• 7:30 AM – Dinagyang National Taekwondo Tournament – Mayor Jed Mabilog Cup
• 8:00 A.M. – 2012 KASADYAHAN Competition
• 1) Freedom Grandstand
  2) Provincial Capitol
  3) Huervana-Luna St. LaPaz
  4) Iloilo Sports Complex
• 2:00 – PM SPONSORS MARDI GRAS -Freedom Grandstand.
  -J.M. Basa St.
  -Iznart St.
  -Gen Luna St.
  -Quezon St. up to Delgado St.
• 4:00 PM – Kapamilya Caravan, SM City Parking Lot
• 7:00 PM – Religious Sad-sad to Sr. Sto. Niño, San Jose Parish Church
• 8:00 PM – ECLIPSED by Republiq, Plazuela de Iloilo
• 12:00 MN – SM Dinagyang Food Festival & Street Party with General Luna , SM City Parking Lot

January 22, 2012, Sunday

• 6:30A.M. – Concelebrated high mass for devotees, Tribes, Gov’t. Officials.  Iloilo Sports Complex
• 8:00A.M.– 2012 Dinagyang Ati-ati Competition
  1) Freedom Grandstand;
  2) Provincial Capitol;
  3) Huervana-Luna  Street LaPaz;
  4) Iloilo Sports Complex
• ABS-CBN Mini Kapamilya Show, Iloilo Sports Complex
• 3:00 P.M-7:00 P.M. – GMA Kapuso Show, Iloilo Freedom Grandstand
• 7:00 P.M. – Awarding Ceremonies, Iloilo Freedom Grandstand
• 7:00 P.M. – KA TRIBU : Fashion Show of Indigenous Materials, Plazuela de Iloilo
• 8:00 P.M. – GMA Kapuso Fireworks Display, Iloilo Freedom Grandstand
• 7:00 P.M. – SM Dinagyang Food Festival & Street Party with 1:43 and Bamboo Manalac

January 23, 2012, Monday

• 5:00 PM -  Thanksgiving Mass, San Jose Parish Church

Simbang Gabi

Christmas in the Philippines won’t be complete without the Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo that kicks off in the wee hours of the morning of December 16 yearly. This has been an annual tradition in the land which started since the Spanish colonization.

Simbang Gabi started in 1669 when the friars decided to have masses early in the morning for the farmers who wanted to hear mass but couldn’t leave their lands. Simbang Gabi is done during the advent season in preparation for Christmas. This is usually held during midnight, hence the name Simbang Gabi. Today, masses are held early in the morning for nine days starting the 16^th of December until the 24^th of December. This is a long-standing tradition for about 600 years already.

Simbang Gabi is also known as Misa de Gallo means “Rooster’s Mass” in English. It is a customary belief during those times that a rooster, noted for its early morning crow, would be the first to witness the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day.

A lot of Filipinos anticipates the start of Simbang Gabi not only to fulfill their devotion to the Catholic Church, but also for the unique Filipino delicacies that awaits outside the gates of the church after the mass such as bibingka, puto bumbong, tsokolate, salabat and many more.

Through the years, the Catholic Community in the Philippines have made some changes in celebrating Simbang Gabi, some parishes in the city now celebrates Simbang Gabi at night, around 8 to 9 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of the other members of the community who have different work schedules.

One popular belief during Simbang Gabi is that if the church-goer completes the nine consecutive masses of Simbang Gabi (that is from Decemer 16-December 24) without break, wishes will be granted.

Filipinos Celebrate UNDAS

Undas came from the Spanish word andas or honra, Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day), Araw ng mga Patay (Day of the dead) in the Philippines is one of the most celebrated holidays in the Philippines. It has more of a family reunion atmosphere, since family members are expected to gather in the cemeteries to visit their departed loved ones. This long-standing tradition is practiced since the Spanish era. Tombs are cleaned and repainted, days or weeks before the 1^st of November. Candles are lit, flowers and even foods are offered. The whole clan camp in cemeteries, spend a day or even a night or two on their relatives’ tombs. There are card games, eating, drinking, singing and dancing. However, the last three activities are being banned nowadays to avoid fights, crimes and promote the solemnity of the day.

Most of the time, on the last day of October, Filipinos are already busy preparing for the next day. Items such as candles, flowers, snacks are supposed to be back by this time. People who had offices the day before would rush into airports, bus terminals and ship ports to go home to their respective provinces. Authorities tighten securities with their annual All Souls/All Saints Day, “Operation Undas”.

November 1 is actually All Saints Day, supposedly it is the day where people would go to church and hear mass and November 2 is the day when people visit the grave of their relatives. However, through the years different customs has evolved: there was no longer All Saints day, instead people would descent to the tombs of their relatives on November 1 and for those people who didn’t want to join the exodus, they would visit the next day, November 2. But for most, this is the day where they would go back to their workplace or to the cities.

Visita Iglesia: Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday starts with a mass attended by most Filipino families together to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It is the well-attended Sunday mass for generally all Catholic churches.

According to the Bible, Jesus came back to like, or was raised from the dead, three days after his crucifixion. As part of the Easter Season, the death of Christ on the cross is remembered on Good Friday, always the Friday prior to Easter. Through his death, and resurrection, Jesus paid the sin of humankind and saved us all.

Interesting Trivia about Easter

• Since the ancient times, the egg has been considered as a symbol of rebirth in most cultures
• Easter has been derived after the word “Pesach”, Hebrew word for Passover Festival
• Similar to Passover which is dependent on the phases of the moon and has different dates each year, Easter is also a movable feast
• Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25
• Easter is the top-selling confectionary celebration in the west, second to Holloween
• The tradition of handing out eggs at Easter goes way back to the time of the Persians, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians
• The pope gives his Urbi et Orbi (Papal Address) during Easter annually
• Easter is known by different names across the world. Some of them are: English – Easter, French – Paques, Spanish – Pascua, Italian – Pasqua, Albanian – Pashke, German – Ostern, Greek – Pascha, Norway – Paaske, Holland – Pasen and Swedish – Pask.
• One of the earliest Easter treats are hot cross buns made by European monks. They were given to the poor during the season of Lent.

Easter Sunday is more than just easter eggs and bunny. It is a celebration of our faith.

Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words)

The Siete Palabras or Seven Last Words are traditionally referred to Jesus’ words during his crucifixion collected from the four gospels of the bible. Three of His seven last words appear in the Gospel of Luke, another three from the Gospel of John and the rest appeared both in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew.

Since the 16^th Century, these words have been widely used during Good Friday. Traditionally in the Philippines, it starts at about 12 noon and precedes an annual procession.

The Seven Last Words of Christ are:

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)

The word of forgiveness. It is taken as Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness for the people who were crucifying him.

2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)

The word of salvation. According to the Gospel of Luke, Christ was crucified between two robbers, one of whom believes Jesus’ innocence and asked Him to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

3. Jesus said to his mother: “Woman, this is your son”. Then he said to his disciple: “This is your mother” (John 19: 26-27)

The word of relationship. Jesus entrusts his mother Mary to one of his disciples.

4. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me. (Matthew 27: 46 & Mark 15:34)

The word of abandonment. It is the only expression that appeared in more than one Gospel. In the verses of the two Gospels immediately following the words, the spectators who hear Jesus’ plea understand him to be calling for help from Elijah.

5. I thirst (John 19:28)

The word of distress. These words are compared to and contrasted with the meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan Woman at the Well.

6. It is finished (John 19:30)

The word of triumph. It is theologically interpreted as the declaration of the end of Jesus’ life on earth and in anticipation for His Resurrection

7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)

The word of reunion. These words are interpreted as the announcement of Christ joining His Father in Heaven.

Virtual Visita Iglesia by CBCP

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has launched a special website to allow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to participate in the traditional Visita Iglesia or visiting and praying in seven churches during Holy Thursday of Lent.

Online users and those people who cannot possibly do the tradition can visit seven famous churches in the country such as Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), San Lorenzo Ruiz Church (Binondo Church), Santo Niño de Tondo Church, Nuestra Señora de Remedios in Malate, Manila and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine in Parañaque City. In addition to this beautiful churches, the website also features the Seven Last Words (Siete Palabras) and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) with the corresponding prayers.

Virtual Visita Iglesia: Iloilo Province Seven Churches

Traditionally, a pilgrim would visit seven churches during Maundy Thursday or Good Friday to say the Way of the Cross. The administrators of this blog would like to celebrate Lent and the Passion of Christ through our very own Virtual Visita-Iglesia, suggesting seven churches where you and your family can conveniently visit.

The first seven churches are found basically in the coastline of Iloilo. If you are from the southern part of the province, or would love to smell the salty scent of the beach while doing your visitation, this is the route you would love to follow.

The Seven Churches are:

1. Parish of San Joaquim (San Joaquin, Iloilo)

2. Parish of St. Thomas de Villanova (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

3. Parish of St. John of Sahagun (Tigbuan, Iloilo)

4. Parish of St. Nicholas de Tolentino (Guimbal, Iloilo)

5. Parish of the Immaculate Concepcion (Oton, Iloilo)

6. Sto. Nino de Arevalo Parish (Villa, Iloilo)

7. Parish of St. Anne (Molo, Iloilo City)

Have a blessed Lenten Season!

Lenten Special: Visita Iglesia, Via Crucis

The tradition of Visita Iglesia or visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is considered to be an ancient practice believed to have originated from Rome, where early pilgrims visited the seven pilgrim churches as penance. The seven churches are St. John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, Saint Peter, Saint Paul-outside-the-walls, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls and traditionally St. Sebastian Outside the walls, however, Pope John Paul II replaced it with Sanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Love during the jubilee year of 2000.

In the Philippines, the Catholics carry out Visita Iglesia (or church visits) and some expand to include fourteen churches, symbolizing one church for each station of the cross.

The Way of the Crus or Via Crucis in Latin refers to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus Christ and the devotion celebrating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion started with St, Francis of Assisi and gained popularity throughout the Roman Catholic Church during the medieval period.

The Traditional Form of Station of the Cross composed of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scences:

1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus is given his cross

3. Jesus falls the first time

4. Jesus meets His Mother

5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

7. Jesus falls the second time

8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem

9. Jesus falls the third time

10. Jesus is stripped of His garments

11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross

12. Jesus dies on the cross

13. Jesus’ body is removed from the cross

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL: Iloilo’s Finest, Nation’s Best

Drum beats are back again in the streets. Dinagyang fever is right around the corner as the year begins. But is Dinagyang festival just all about the drums, costumes and merry makings?

During the fourth weekend of January, Dinagyang festival is celebrated in order to give tribute to the Christianization of the natives and show respect to Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus). It is a three-day event, the highlight of which is the 3^rd day, the Ati-ati contest. It is a colorful parade of costumes staging the Sto. Niño as the object of offerings and prayers. “Viva Señor Sto. Niño” is heard amidst the beating of the drums during the competition. This is an evidence of the Ilonggos’ great devotion to the child Jesus who is believed to be miraculous during famine and drought.

Dinagyang is not just any cultural event that wowed the whole country and the world, it is also considered as a religious evangelization.

Dinagyang comes from the Hiligaynon (TRIVIA: we call the people ILONGGO and the dialect is HILIGAYNON) word dagyang meaning make happy. The festival was formerly called Ati-atihan similar of the festival in Kalibo. According to history, it started when a replica of the image of Señor Sto. Niño was brought from Cebu to Iloilo (San Jose Parish in Libertad). From then on, Ilonggos became devotees and proclaimed the 4^th Sunday of January as His feast day since year 1968. The annual celebration is concluded by a nine-day Novena, an Ati-Ati contest and a fluvial procession on the last day.

It was the late Pacifico Sumagpao Sudario, a radio broadcaster who first used to name the festival when it commenced in 1977, to differentiate it from Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan.

The image of Sto. Niño is placed on a decorative boat in a fluvial procession early in the morning. It starts from the mouth of the Iloilo River at Fort San Pedro to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol found on the bank of the Iloilo River. The image is met by the Hermano-Hermana mayor devotees as well as the contesting tribes. The procession ends at San Jose Church where a high mass is celebrated. Opening ceremonies and contest proper follows shortly after the mass.

Dinagyang proved to be one of the best festivals in the country when it won Best Festival for a couple of years in a row.

Every year, tourist swarms the city to see Iloilo’s Finest and the Nation’s best: Dinagyang Festival.

A Preview of what to expect this year:

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2011 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:

January 19-23, 2011
2:00 P.M.-12 MN Iloilo Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association (IHRRA) Food Festival Delgado St., Iloilo City

January 21, 2011, Friday
8:00:00 AM TAMBOR TRUMPA MARTSA MUSIKA Freedom Grandstand
7:00 PM LUCES IN THE SKY Part II

January 22, 2011, Saturday
7:00:00 AM Mass for Kasadyahan San Jose Parish Church
8:00 A.M. 2011 KASADYAHAN Competition Freedom Grandstand and other stages
2:00PM SPONSORS MARDI GRAS Judging Area #4 to Freedom Grandstand

January 23, 2011, Sunday
6:30 a.m Concelebrated high mass for devotees, Tribes, Gov’t. Officials, LOMAS in attendance San Jose Parish Church
8:00 A.M. 2011 Dinagyang Ati CONTEST Freedom Grandstand and other stages
7:00 P.M. Awarding Ceremonies Freedom Grandstand

January 24, 2011, Monday
5:30 P.M. Thanksgiving Mass with all members of 2010 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Working Committees

Visita Iglesia’s Top 5 Churches for Weddings

It may be grand or solemn – a family affair or the talk of the town. The motif may range from black to white – and the budget… Let us not talk about money. The aisle may be long or some may prefer it short because their beautiful new shoes are killing them. The altar may be simple or elaborate as the church may be big or just a small chapel up on the hill side. At the end of it all, it will all come down to the will you’s and I do’s.

The church hosts one of the blessed sacraments in the lives of two individuals bound to spend the rest of their lives together — the holy matrimony.

Iloilo is sorrounded with wonderful houses of worship where couples could choose where to held the momentous occasion. Visita Iglesia picks five among over a dozes beautiful churches over Metro Iloilo on where to speak your vows and start forever with the man or woman of your dreams.

St. Joseph Parish (Jaro, Iloilo City)

This beautiful modern church found in Jaro has been one of the top choices of Visita Iglesia. It is situated in the section of the city that is moderately busy. With a function room found inside the premises, reception is not a problem. The altar offers a drama that no photgrapher can refuse, a sole cross in the middle and a well-elevated altar proved to be an interesting backdrop for wedding photos.

St. Clements Church (La Paz, Iloilo City)

This white church under the Redemptorists sits in the heart  of the busy La Paz district. Not only that this church is accessible – but the altar provides a view that enchants photographers and people alike. The ventilation is good since both sides are open for air to pass freely inside the church.

San Agustin Church (Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City)

One of the newest church to be built and already gained so much popularity because if its commendable modern design.

Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

The interiors of the Miag-ao Church is as breathtaking as its façade. Found in the outskirts of the city and one of the coastal town in Iloilo, the church is one of the island’s most treasured ancient structure that has been preserved not just for tourists but for special occasions such as weddings. A wide array of beach resorts offer a great venue for an after party.

Jaro Cathedral (Jaro, Iloilo City)

This majestic structure in the center of Jaro is the only cathedral found in Iloilo City. Although the church is undergoing major renovation, the glorious aura of this citadel ramins with its long aisle and wide nave. A function hall found inside the premises can cater to your reception needs.

*administrators of this website have asked permission from the administrator of iloiloonline.blogspot.com & exploreiloilo.com (THANK YOU!)

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