Pagadian diocese spearheads annual fiesta

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371452751791/pagadian-diocese-spearheads-annual-fiesta
• Thursday, January 14, 2016

By Claro A. Lanipa (FPG/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 14 – With the theme “Señor Sto. Niño: Tuburan sa Gugma, Kalooy ug Kaaghop nga nagpasinati sa Panalangin ug Grasya (Señor Sto. Niño: Source of Mercy and Kindness through His Blessing and Grace),” the diocese of Pagadian has kicked off Friday its annual fiesta celebration which will culminate on Jan. 17.

Rev. Fr. Allan Onden, parish administrator, said “the opening salvo aims to inform and make the people/devotees aware that a series of activities for the weeklong celebration already started. The rituals were presented and performed at the city’s wharf area by the Melengas Dance Ensemble of the Zamboanga del Sur National High School.

The weeklong celebration would also bring to mind how the wooden image of Señor Sto. Niño was brought to the Philippines specifically here in the city which led to the birth of “Pangadyian Festival.”

Fr. Onden explained that this year’s fiesta celebration was also anchored on last year’s theme, “The Year of Mercy and Compassion,” and this year’s theme, “Year of the Eucharist and the Year of the Family” as declared by the Roman Catholic Church headed by Pope Francis.

This year’s theme was sub-divided into nine sub themes for each Novena Masses, as follows: “Senor Sto. Nino: Kalig-on sa Nanalipod sa Kinaiyahan” (Strength in the Defense of the Environment), “Nagpatubo sa mga bili sa Kinabuhi sa Pamilya” (Enhancing the Values of Family life), “Dalangpanan sa mga Kabataan nga Hinikawan” (A Refuge of the Abandoned Children), “Nag-uban kanato sa Bayhon sa Pan sa Kinabuhi” (Our companion as a bread of life), “Prinsepe sa Pakigdait ug Kalinaw” ( Prince of Goodwill and Peace), “Mahigugmaon ug Maggiloy-on sa mga Tigulang ug Sinalikway”(Loving and Merciful for the elderly and the less fortunate), “Tigpanalipod batok sa Pag-abuso sa Tawhanong Dignidad” (Protector against Abuses of Human Dignity), “Dalangpanan sa mga Tawo nga adunay Balatian ug Kabilinggan” (A Refuge of the sick and differently abled persons).

Different groups and parishes were designated to sponsor the novena masses such as the city government offices together with the San Jose Parish in Pagadian City; the civic and professional organizations with the San Isidro Labrador Parish of Danlugan, Pagadian City; the business community and the Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Balangasan, Pagadian City; the provincial government offices together with the Vicariate of Baganian Peninsula; the law enforcement agencies and the 1st Infantry “Tabak’ Division, Philippine Army Chaplaincy Office; the institutional services groups with the San Pedro Parish, Pagadian City; the Department of Education (DepEd) regional, provincial and city divisions with the Vicariate of Salug Valley; the national government offices together with the Vicariate of ARMS (Aurora, Ramon Magsaysay, Midsalip and Sominot); and the wharf area group with the Sto. Nino Cathedral Parish Community for the “Bisperas” (eve) of the feast day celebration.

In every novena masses a “Pangadyian Sayaw Pasalamat” follows to be participated in by the following Sinulog contigents: Sta. Lucia National High School, Saint Columban High School, Gaisano Capital, Zamboanga del Sur School of Arts and Trades, Comprehensive National High School, Pagadian City Science High School and the Holy Child Academy.

The Regatta 2016 and street dancing competitions are also among the lined up activities for the weeklong “Pasalamat” (thanksgiving) celebration.