extreme gaming 88 50,000 devotees flock to Pagadian City for Sto. Niño feast
Thousands of devotees flocked to hear Mass in honor of Señor Sto. Niño in Pagadian City on Saturday. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur–In a strong demonstration of faith, an estimated 50,000 devotees joined the Holy Mass at dawn on Saturday here in honor of Señor Sto. Niño, this city’s patron.
Rev. Belstar Ediang, vicar general of the Pagadian diocese, led the concelebrated mass at the city’s baywalk area.
Article continues after this advertisementSeeing the droves of people who came for the celebration, Ediang lauded their faith.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Isko Moreno leads 2025 Manila mayoral race surveys NEWSINFO Doctor assaulted in road altercation, suspect nabbed NEWSINFO DSWD comes to viral sampaguita girl’s aid; PNP summons mall guard“This is one of the largest gatherings here in the city. Who had coaxed you to wake up early and be here? We are all gathered here because of one reason, our faith in God,” Ediang said, speaking in Bisaya.
In previous years, the crowd for the dawn mass reached 20,000, hence, the current one is more than twice the usual, said Col. Jerwin Cagurin, Pagadian City police chief.
Article continues after this advertisementEdiang praised the Catholic faithful for continuing to keep the tradition passed on from prior generations “a living heritage.”
Article continues after this advertisementMayor Samuel Co said the crowd could have also ballooned as the new venue could accommodate more people than the usual one at the local port which is now filled with container vans after it has reopened operations.
Article continues after this advertisementCoast Guard personnel escort the main boat that carried the image of the child Jesus during fluvial procession in Pagadian City on Saturday. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)
After the dawn Mass, a fluvial procession followed where at least 100 fishing boats participated, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Richard Fabria.
Those who participated were small fishers from Pagadian and neighboring towns like Labangan and Dumalinao.
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Article continues after this advertisement Pasalamat FestivalWith the Catholic feast of the child Jesus, the local government also celebrated its Pasalamat Festival, a celebration similar to that of Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival.
The celebration in Pagadian City also drew tourists and devotees from other provinces.
a slotOn Sunday, January 19, on the feast day itself, a street dancing competition organized by the local government would take place along the main roads of the city, to be participated by 11 contingents from the different barangays.
They will vie in for the grand prize of P800,000, P750,000 second prize, P700,000 third prize, P650,000 fourth prize and P600,000 fifth prize, said City Tourism Officer Gerardo San Pablo.
A consolation prize of P500,000 will be awarded to the rest of the participants.
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Lt. Col. Rolando Vargas Jr., commanding officer of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalionextreme gaming 88, said they increased security presence in the city.
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