Dinagyang Festival - An Expression Of Faith

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/1000, 73mm, f/6.3, ISO 800

Dinagyang Festival is to Iloilo, while Sinulog is to Cebu.  Which one is better than the other is like comparing an apple to an orange.  Whatever it is, both festivals are celebrated in honor of the miraculous child Jesus, the Sto. Nino.

Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January in Iloilo City, a week after the Sinulog of Cebu City.  It is a weeklong festivity, but the highlight is on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Dinagyang week.

I would have wanted to see the fluvial procession but the heat prevented me. 

I decided to just go straight to the San Jose Parish church where the image of the Nino will be brought to after the fluvial procession along the Iloilo River.  

Accordingly, the pilgrim image of the Sto. Nino arrived in Iloilo a day before from Cebu.

After lighting a few candles and saying personal prayers I seated myself in the center part of the church to maximize my view of the event.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/50, 24mm, f/6.3, ISO 800

Devotees, young and old alike, bearing their images of the Nino in various attires and sizes have started to arrive. 

The church has  started to fill-up.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/80, 102mm, f/4.5, ISO 800

The first of the many devotees who joined the procession has arrived, bringing with them their own images of the child Jesus.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/100, 65mm, f/5, ISO 800

The tribe representatives, dressed in their tribal costume followed.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 105mm, f/4, ISO 800

Now, everyone inside the church was on their feet as the moment the image of the Nino became visible outside the church.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 58mm, f/4, ISO 800

All were now facing the church entrance as the image was being brought inside.  Everyone were chanting 'Viva senor Sto. Nino!" and at the same time waving their own images of the Nino.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/60, 105mm, f/8, ISO 800

I was lucky enough to be standing in the center aisle where it gave me a good view of the Pilgrim Image of the Nino.  Those who were nearer tried to rub their handkerchief on the glass-casing carrying the image.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 105mm, f/8, ISO 800

The chanting of 'Viva senor Sto. Nino!" continued as the image was carried to the altar. 

As the image was positioned in the altar I started my way out of the church which was now jammed-pack.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 35mm, f/8, ISO 800

Outside, I noticed this young devotee garbed in his tribal costume who willingly posed for a picture. 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/50, 65mm, f/4.5, ISO 400

I heard the mass entrance hymn being sang as i crossed the street towards my next destination.