Iloilo City: A 'Traslacion' (transfer) will serve as a prelude to this year's fluvial procession, one of the highlights of the religious activities of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival on January 24. In an interview, Rev. Fr. Nelson Zerda of the San Jose Placer Parish Church and organizer of the religious activities, said there will be a procession of the image of Se±or Santo Ni±o going to the Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lapuz District after the 5:30 p.m. mass on January 23.

According to Philippines News Agency, 'Traslacion involves bringing the image to the area where the fluvial starts. Previously, the fluvial had only one starting and end point, but this year, the organizers have chosen a church in Lapuz as it is closest to the embarkation area. The image will stay there overnight, and on the following day, around 1 p.m., Se±or Santo Ni±o will be brought to Lapuz wharf, where the fluvial procession will commence.

Rev. Fr. Zerda mentioned that the fluvial procession will include 10 fiber boats, which will be loaded with only 50 percent of the allowed passenger capacity. Following the fluvial procession, a solemn foot procession will take place from Muelle Loney to the San Jose Church. This year, the new addition to the procession will be the participation of San Jose and the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Family, which aligns with the theme "Synodality in Church."

On January 25, a two-hour grand religious "sadsad" (merrymaking) will be held in front of the church starting at 7 p.m. Additionally, a pontifical Mass is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Sunday. The Dinagyang Festival, rooted in the Hiligaynon word dagyang (merrymaking), is among several feasts honoring the Child Jesus, similar to celebrations in Kalibo, Aklan (Ati-Atihan); Cebu City, Cebu (Sinulog); and Tondo and Pandacan in Manila, all held every third Sunday of January.