It's My Panay!: Events:

Fiesta 2010: Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria

by Pepin

Much to the heavy traffic and frenzied fair, the 2010 Fiesta of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria at Jaro, Iloilo City was in every inch a victorious celebration last February 2. People of different ages from every corner of Panay, and even across the country and the globe, flocked the festivity to honor the Lady, who is considered by many as an inspiration and a miracle worker.

During the mass, the cathedral was overcrowded by faithful devotees, while several others endured a long queue to pay homage to the image of the Holy Mother at the balcony of the church. Most of them prayed for good health, more success in life, and a peaceful and honest election come May 2010. Some of the pilgrims offered flowers, while a lot of them lit their fuchsia perdon (candles) on designated spots for candle lighting in honor of the patron Mother. Other religious practices that were commonly done were the palapak (blessing of an individual by stamping his head with a statuette of the Holy Mother), and pinning of devotional scapulars to devotees.

While the mass was going on inside, piercing voices of merchants screaming around the borders of the cathedral capitulated people’s attention. They took the opportunity to earn by selling different products, such as potteries, home decors, ornamental plants, pillow cases, balloons, and fashion accessories. Aside from the small businesses, there were also several handicaps soliciting for alms.

In the afternoon, people witnessed a solemn procession, which was participated by different religious sectors of the Archdioses of Jaro, students from various Catholic schools in Iloilo, and more faithful devotees of Our Lady of Candles. The procession was followed by the coronation of Ms. Clarice Helene Guadarrama Saulong, the elected queen of the 2010 Jaro Agro-industrial fair.

Above all, it was a successful fiesta even if there were some police reports of atypical events. Merchants earned their fair share of their income, guests enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at their friends’ homes, and the solemnity of the feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria and her message to the people were greatly emphasized.