By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – Despite the
city government’s cancellation of this year’s street dancing and ritual
competition - used to be the main attraction of “Pangadyian Festival” - due to
security reasons, pilgrims, local tourists, and devotees of patron saint Sr.
Sto. Nino may still join the dance ritual every after Novena Mass starting Jan.
9-17.
Mayor Romeo Pulmones said the Fiesta Executive
Council 2015 would continue to observe the “Pangadyian Sayaw Pasalamat” to
encourage the faithful Catholics to fulfill their religious obligations called
“panaad” in Cebuano.
As a religious celebration, Pulmones said, the
devotees would flock to Sto. Nino Cathedral to attend the Novena Mass and join
the ritual dancing at the vicinity of the church to offer a dance in honor of
the miraculous image of Sto. Nino.
The mayor disclosed that there are nine
contingents who will perform the ritual dancing, namely: The Holy Child
Academy, Saint Columban High School, Pagadian Golden School, Zamboanga del Sur
School of Arts and Trades, Gaisano Capital, Zamboanga del Sur Electric
Cooperative (ZAMSURECO-I), Pagadian Science High School, Lucan Central
Colleges, and Sta. Lucia National High School.
Meanwhile, “Pangadyian Sayaw Pasalamat”
chairman Councilor Cesar Dacal Jr. said the contingents, dressed in bright colored
costumes, will perform first the ritual dance to the beat of “Pasalamat Sayaw
Festival” music and then teach the devotees who are bringing with them the
image of Sto. Ninoto do the dance steps.
Dacal said “the performers and devotees will
dance not to worship their native idols but as a sign of reverence to Sto. Nino
who helped them in giving special protection and abundant blessings in a year.”
The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and will end at about midnight.
In a related development, Pulmones said
everyone has a personal and shared responsibility to work together collectively
for the success of the feast of Sr. Sto. Nino.
As thousands of Filipinos are expected to
attend the nine-day Novena Mass and “Pasalamat Sayaw Festival,” Pulmones
appealed to everyone to cooperate with the law enforcers in securing the
vicinity of the church.
“I urge the spectators to refrain from bringing
backpacks and hats while they are inside the church and while witnessing the ritual
dance to ensure the safety of all persons attending the annual parochial fiesta
celebration,” Pulmones concluded.
