Growing Strong: The Religious Sadsad of Dinagyang
Over the past few years, Iloilo Dinagyang Festival’s fame has spread all throughout. For most tourists, and even locals, it’s all about those adrenaline-rushed street dance performances, outrageous costumes, and the painted warriors that either scare children or entertain them with all the moves. It was only the secular part. The religious aspect, to which Dinagyang owes its existence, gradually faded from public consciousness. Good thing though, the Agustinian Priests have something on their sleeves that kept the celebration of the Santo Nino alive in the festivity—the Religious Sadsad.
On Saturday evening of the Dinagyang weekend, the faithful, the locals, and even the tourists are invited to the revelry in front of San Jose Church. The devotees brought with them the image of the Holy Child of different sizes and colours, families converge, and even the barkada. The people dance as if they were in some EDM party-attracted to the devotion of the Santo Nino.
EDM Party in front of the Church? Seriously? No. It’s Dinagyang’s Religious Sadsad!
How the Sadsad Gave Birth to a Great Festival
After the Mass has ended, the party starts. Parishioners go out and start dancing to the beat of…guess what—the Sinulog beat (of all the ironies of the Sinulog-Dinagyang rift on Aliwan).
It was Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan that started the trend of sadsad and dagyang in the streets of Iloilo.
A lot of people may ask why that beat if it is in Dinagyang. Simple: that image of Santo Nino is the same image the Cebuano folks venerate—Santo Nino de Cebu. The Agustinains brought a replica of it in the 1960s as part of the 400 year celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines. “Imported” Ati tribes from Kalibo, in neighboring province of Aklan, were brought to Iloilo to celebrate its arrival in Panay Island—from then on, Iloilo Ati-Atihan came to be, to which it became Dinagyang. Back then, people line up Plaza Libertad and dance around it in a festive way—the sadsad.
The replica image of Santo Nino de Cebu during the solemn foot procession in Dinagyang. Every year, it is housed at San Jose Church to where the celebration of the sadsad is held.
In other words, Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan and Cebu’s Sinulog formed the foundation in what it is one of Iloilo’s greatest trademarks.
Sadsad Ilongga
Fast forward, the devotees were dancing in front of the church like it was some EDM party. The priests, lay ministers, and the religious were at the platform praising God and shout “Viva Pit Senyor!”
The priest mentions a particular group na nakakarelate on certain phases in life such as:
“Pit Senyor sa mga waay love life!” (A call to Lord for those who don’t have love life)
Then the crowd responds lively, “Pit Senyor!!!”
The priest responds, “Keep on dancing! Hala Bira!!!”
Just to show you how it is done, check the video above, courtesy of Estan Cabigas of Langyaw.com.
If you have been to Cebu’s Pista Senyor novena Masses, it will be the same ritual as what it is being done at the Basilica Minore! In other words, the Sadsad is the Ilonggo’s answer to the Sinulog of the Cebuanos.
As years go by, it was noticed that there have an increase of people participating what was once “a party for a few dira sa bangga.” The atmosphere was festive, and the people were ecstatic—as if they were in a trance together with prayers and praise. It is gaining popularity to the masa, locals, and even the curious tourists alike.
The Religious Sadsad, for us personally, is a very important component of Dinagyang Festival, much as the Ati Street Dance Competition is in its secular side. It reminds the folks of the festivity’s true heritage and the primary reason of the revelry which brought Ilonggo talent and brand of celebration to the world. Thankfully and hopefully, it goes strong.
Go here to experience the Religious Sadsad every Dinagyang Saturdays.