ILOILO City – “With our desire to bring Iloilo City to the next level, we also want to level up your Dinagyang Festival experience.”
Addressing Ilonggos and guests from other parts of the country, Mayor Jerry Treñas led the start of the 100-day countdown to Dinagyang 2020 yesterday at the Festival Walk Mall, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district.
“We deserve a colorful and exciting celebration of our religion and rich culture,” Treñas said.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is known for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
The highlight of the festival is on Jan. 26, 2020 – the tribes competition.
Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who graced the countdown kick-off said Dinagyang would further boost the campaign to make Iloilo City a preferred MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits) destination.
Dinagyang has been voted the “best tourism event” three times in a row – 2006, 2007 and 2008 – by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.
Treñas appealed for the cooperation of all stakeholders to make Dinagyang 2020 better.
“Your involvement will mean so much,” he stressed.
The city government has partnered with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) for the staging of the 51st edition of Dinagyang.
The IFFI bared the following Dinagyang 2020 activities:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 24
* Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika – Jan. 24
* fluvial and solemn foot procession – Jan. 24
* Floats Parade of Lights – Jan. 24
* fireworks display – Jan. 24
* Dinagyang sa Calle Real – Jan. 25
* Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras – Jan. 25
* religious sadsad – Jan. 25
* Dinagyang 360° – Jan. 26
“Dinagyang will be more experiential, (there will be) more people involvement. Indi pareho sa una nga gabantay ka lang. I-push ta gid nga experiential Dinagyang,” said former Tourism undersecretary Salvador Sarabia Jr., now the Iloilo City government officer heading the push to make the metropolis the preferred MICE destination.
For the ati tribes contest, several barges that can hold spectators may be placed at the Iloilo River facing the new Freedom Grandstand, the main venue of the performances.
“The ati tribes’ performances can be viewed 360 degrees, indi lang siya sa atubang, libot na siya. It will be more experiential,” said Sarabia.
Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City./PN
