The Diyandi Festival
Iligan City is very rich in tourist spots as well as the cultures and traditions. Every cultures and traditions reflects and symbolizes Iligan City. One of them is the infamous Diyandi Festival.
In the face of all hardships, there is one thing that never persuades Iligan City-- the peoples trusts, devotion, and affection to the city's one and only patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel. Considered by all ethnic groups, Saint Michael the Archangel brings together Christian and other religions as well as Muslim people.
Every year on September 29, the city celebrates a lavish, prestigious, and one-of- a kind fiesta celebration known as the Diyandi Festival to commemorate the city's patron saint, Saint Michael The Archangel.
The celebration of the feast usually starts on Sept. 20 with Holy Mass at St. Michael Cathedral and "Pagpakanaug"--the traditional transfer of image of the patron saint from its original place in the main altar towards a pedestal on the side altar. The "pagpakanaug" signals the start of 9-day novena for the patron saint.
Inside the cathedral, the City Mayor and the Congressman gathers in front of the pedestal to join St. Michael and conducts the "pagkalo" in which they are the first ones to don the patron saint's helmet as dictated by tradition. After hundreds of devotees ge their chance to don St. Michaels helmet, the entire cathedral sang the Iliganon's anthem "Ang Iliganon nga Boutan".
Colorful and full of life, the fiesta celebration continues to spread like a disease and continue to fulfill the expectation of over 320000 residents plus tourists of Iligan City. Popular highlights of the celebration are "pamukaw" or the early dawn parade of the city's band to awake the residents for the dawn novenas, the "kasadya" street dancing, the Miss Iligan and Little Miss Iligan and the San Miguel Procession.
One Of the significant highlights of the celebration is an Iligan tradition and cultural heritage-- The San Miguel Comedia. The San Miguel Comedia depicts thenfall of the proud and rebellious angel named Lucifer over God's faithful warrior St. Michael the Archangel.
There are also events conducted during the entire week of fiesta celebration. This includes "mugna" trade fairs, concerts of various local artists, sports competitions and many more!!!
Additionally, DIYANDI FESTIVAL brings joy to gloomy faces, brings excitement to boring lives and unites every Iliganons everywhere in the world.
