ILOILO City – Two of Panay Island’s most prestigious cultural and religious festivities – Iloilo City’s Dinagyang and Kalibo, Aklan’s Ati-Atihan – are pushing through as scheduled in January 2021. But without mammoth crowds. Organizers promised to tone down the annual celebrations with authorities still grappling to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In this city, Mayor Jerry Treñas tasked the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) to manage next year’s edition of Dinagyang Festival, known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is the city’s version of the Ati-Atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country.
“Madayon kita (but) virtual lang,” Treñas told Panay News.
Joebert Peñaflorida, IFFI president, said innovations will be introduced to adapt to the “new normal.”
The IFFI had been conducting virtual stakeholders’ meeting for the past few months on how to carry out the tradition in honor of Señor Santo Niño “in the safest and most economical way possible.”
IFFI is a private organization of business operators and owners that organizes and manages various festivals in the city.
As to the guidelines and other specific details regarding tribes’ performance and other side events, it will be disclosed later, he added.
IFFI and the city government will make a formal announcement on the Dinagyang 2021 on Friday night with the presence of the first-ever Miss Iloilo 2020 and now Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo.
As top tourist events, festivals bring in revenues and livelihood for hotels, restaurants, transport companies, and souvenir and food vendors.
The Diocese of Kalibo is also pushing through with the annual Ati-Atihan Festival.
Father Jose Tudd Belandres, parish priest at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Kalibo, said the diocese has submitted recommendations on how to manage the festival despite the pandemic.
“What we are planning to do now is to present these plans with the local government,” said the priest, adding that the church will abide by whatever would be the decision.
“We will still push through with our devotion to the Santo Niño whatever it takes,” said Father Belandres.
The Ati-Atihan Festival, a celebration traditionally held every third Sunday of January, is highlighted by dances and merrymaking in honor of the Santo Niño.
The term “Ati-Atihan” means to be like an Ati, the tribal people of Panay Island.
The festival has become known as the “Mother of Philippine Festivals” because of its drum beats and colorful street dancing that inspired other festivals. (With a report from PHLicas/PN)
