Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Defensor underscores faith-centered roots of Dinagyang as ‘hermano mayor’ By Ime Sornito -Saturday, January 24, 2026 Iloilo Province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and mother Cosette (representing her son’s wife Michelle) hold the ceremonial staffs after their formal installation as hermano y hermana mayor of Dinagyang Festival 2026 during rites at San Jose de Placer Parish Church in Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City, marking the opening of the novena for the Feast of Señor Sto. Niño. PHOTO FROM BALITA HALIN SA KAPITOLYO Iloilo Province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and mother Cosette (representing her son’s wife Michelle) hold the ceremonial staffs after their formal installation as hermano y hermana mayor of Dinagyang Festival 2026 during rites at San Jose de Placer Parish Church in Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City, marking the opening of the novena for the Feast of Señor Sto. Niño. PHOTO FROM BALITA HALIN SA KAPITOLYO ILOILO — Even as Dinagyang Festival continues to grow into one of the country’s biggest cultural and tourism events, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reminded Ilonggos that the festival’s true foundation remains deeply religious, urging the public not to lose sight of its devotion to Señor Santo Niño. After his recent installation as hermano mayor, Defensor stressed that Dinagyang, like town fiestas honoring patron saints, should never be reduced to spectacle alone, as its very source and meaning come from the celebration of the Santo Niño. “Let us celebrate ining kapistahan naton with that in mind… una don’t overlook nga this is the celebration of the church,” Defensor said, noting that this was his first time to be installed as hermano mayor (elder church lay leader), alongside his wife, First Lady Michelle Defensor, who was named hermana mayor. Defensor said Dinagyang’s religious core should always guide how the festivities are observed, even as the event continues to serve as a platform for broader initiatives of the provincial government. He expressed gratitude that the festival has also allowed the province to roll out key programs, including the launch of a new executive order and the use of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan as a venue for implementing the province’s tourism development plan. “Salamat sa simbahan naton, to the parish for the celebration of the Santo Niño, kapistahan ini sia. This is the fiesta celebration…That we have an opportunity to celebrate in this way kay man ang tanan nga ini mahalin gid ina dira,” Defensor said. “When you have something like this, many good things happened… the celebration is already a platform of the implementation of our tourism development plan. So, we are thankful that we have this celebration.” The governor also shared his personal appreciation for the role, saying he readily accepted the responsibility that comes with being hermano mayor. “I’m very happy that they choose me and I accept it. I was expose to that kind of responsibility and were very happy to take part, it has become an integral part of the festivity,” Defensor said. “I’m very happy nga ako ginpili nila nga nabal-an ko na kon ano na sia nga responsibilidad.” The installation rites were held at around 5:30 p.m. on January 16 at San Jose de Placer Parish Church, and were officiated by Fr. Nelson Zerda. The titles hermano and hermana mayor, rooted in Hispanic tradition and meaning “older brother” and “older sister,” refer to lay leaders entrusted with supporting and overseeing religious activities related to the feast in Filipino Catholic celebrations./PN Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. [ 2026, January 24 ]. Defensor underscores faith-centered roots of Dinagyang as ‘hermano mayor’. Panay News, 2&15. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Defensor underscores faith-centered roots of Dinagyang as ‘hermano mayor’ Description An account of the resource ILOILO — Even as Dinagyang Festival continues to grow into one of the country’s biggest cultural and tourism events, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reminded Ilonggos that the festival’s true foundation remains deeply religious, urging the public not to lose sight of its devotion to Señor Santo Niño. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/defensor-underscores-faith-centered-roots-of-dinagyang-as-hermano-mayor/" title="Panay News" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.panaynews.net/defensor-underscores-faith-centered-roots-of-dinagyang-as-hermano-mayor/</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 24, 2026 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Festivals Arthur R. Defensor Jr. Dinagyang Festival