ILOILO City – Eight tribes are vying for top honors in the ati-ati competition of the 2019 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival on Jan. 27, 2019.
The tribes are Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School, Salognon of Jaro National High School, Ilonganon of Jalandoni National High School, Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña National High School, Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Hugponganon, Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, and Barriohanon.
Tribu Panayanon is the defending champion.
Tribe Committee chairperson Robert Alor of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) said two guest tribes would be performing – Tribu Miro and Tribu Bola-Bola.
IDFI chairperson Ramon Cua-Locsin said out of the P1.2-million subsidy for each tribe, the foundation already released P900 thousand to each.
The remaining P300 thousand for each tribe would be released on the first week of January.
“Connecting Communities thru Culture and Faith” is the theme of the 2019 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.
Dinagyang started in 1967 when a replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church here.
The replica, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums.
In 1968, the festival was formally launched. It marked its 50th anniversary in January this year.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The Dinagyang Festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for the participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos./PN
