A soldier stands guard along the street in Iligan City as participants of the the Diyandi Street Dancing prepare. Local officials assured of a safe fiesta celebration, amid a war going on in Marawi City, some 30 kilometers away from the city. Photo by Divina M. Suson for Davao Today
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By Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief
and Sita Asequia
Correspondent

Iligan City — Despite lingering threats brought about by the on-going Marawi seige, the city marked its fiesta yesterday.

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People had somewhat forgotten the fears they collectively felt during the early days of the seige that began May 23, as the city of Marawi is 30 kilometers away.

It helped that many of the people here are devotees of its patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel and believe its perceived power to protect the city from harm.

The city fiesta is a month long event here so it is also called “Tourism Month” as tourists are drawn to it because of its numerous activities that begins early September, to rise to a feverish pitch with the “Pagpakanaog” on the 20th. On this day, the statue of St. Michael descends from his perch at the altar and paraded in the city to “mix” with the people. The faithful then would line up to touch his newly changed garments. They believe that by kissing and touching him, their lives would improve  because of the miracles given to them.

The statue then is returned first week of October to its usual place in the altar.

The city fiesta is both a religious and local government event.

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