the BEQUEST 3rd teaser article
Christianity and Sto. Niňo unveiled in The BEQUEST
By Ronelo Ladiao
After the legendary “Barter of Panay”
was linked to the origin of Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation
Director, Benito Jimena in his article “Anacronism: The Barter, The Baptism and
The Bequest” revealed that the arrival of Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand
Magellan and his Spaniard crew in the shores of Masao 1521 led to the
historical first mass in the Philippines. After Raha Humabon and 300 natives
were baptized as Christians in Cebu, the image
of Sto. Niňo was given as a gift to his wife, Hara Humamai by Magellan. For
centuries, the holy image was worshipped by the natives that blissfully
inspired the Cebuanos to create and establish their own famous religious
festival called “Sinulog” every January.
In 1968, the replica of Sto. Niňo was
given as a gift or “bequest” by a clergy from Cebu to the parish priest of San Jose Church
in . The
arrival of the holy child Jesus was venerated and became a turning point in the
history of Iloilo
when a religious fluvial parade was established through merry-making wearing
black paint similar to Ati-atihan of Aklan. In 1978, “Dinagyang” officially
became an annual religious festivity and tourism attraction of the Ilonggos
when former president Ferdinand Marcos urged provinces and cities in the Philippines. to
establish their own festivals to strengthen the growing tourism industry in the
country.
The baptism of the natives for
Christianity and the arrival of Sto. Niňo in Iloilo city
together with the legendary “Barter of Panay” as three separate historical
events will create a distinct origin and face to the humble beginning of
Dinagyang Festival more than the usual bombastic drumbeats, colorful costumes
and energetic dancing in the street.
On Friday, January 25, 7PM, Ilonggos
will finally witness “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”, the first-ever
animated short film of Iloilo’s
world-famous religio-cultural attraction at SM Cinema 7. Kuris Animation Unlimited
in partnership with Ilongguhit Animation will unveil a “life-larger” animated
project that is truly Ilonggo by heart and soul. But before The BEQUEST, drop
by at “Dinagyamation” animation exhibit which is on extended display at SM City
Iloilo from January 21-27 to see the works of talented Ilonggo animators. SM
City Iloilo is the region’s ultimate mall to hold the first-ever grandest
animation event in the city. The BEQUEST tickets are exclusively available at
SM Cinema on January 25 for only P20 free with a colored postcard.
