ILOILO City – There will be no food festival in this year’s celebration of the Dinagyang that, for the second straight year, is going digital due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
For decades, the food festival on major streets is a major feature of the Dinagayang. Revelers dine al fresco in party-like atmosphere. Food kiosks showcase favorite Ilonggo dishes.
According to Gab Umadhay of the Iloilo City COVID-19 Team, the food festival is being scrapped to prevent people from massing up.
Iloilo City is under pandemic Alert Level 3 up to Jan. 15 unless this is extended. Under this level, live gatherings and events are not allowed because these could aid in the transmission of COVID-19.
“Given the conditions that we have, ang aton COVID-19 cases sige-sige sa gihapon gasaka…we are expecting…nga ma-remain sa Alert Level 3 kita (next week),” said Umadhay.
The Dinagyang opening salvo is on Jan. 14. However, instead of Dinagyang warriors dancing on the streets, there will only be a motorcade of the warriors beating drums.
For the second year in a row due to the pandemic, Dinagyang Festival will be celebrated on the digital platform. The performances of competing Dinagyang tribes will only be streamed on Facebook.
There will be seven participating tribes representing Iloilo City’s seven districts – Lapuz, La Paz, Mandurriao, Jaro, City Proper, Molo, and Arevalo (Villa).
Aside from the food festival, crowd-drawing Dinagyang basketball and volleyball tournaments won’t be staged, too.
Product exhibits, however, are allowed.
“We do not want to deprive the Ilonggos from engaging in economic activities…but we are trying to limit and make sure that everyone observes COVID-19 health protocols,” Umadhay said.
For the second year in a row, too, the traditional Dinagyang fluvial procession of the Santo Niño – a major festival activity – won’t be staged.
Instead, a Santo Niño motorcade would be held on Jan. 21, 1 p.m., starting at the San Jose de Placer Church.
The motorcade will weave through the city’s main thoroughfares.
“We know a lot of the devotees really want to see the Santo Niño so amo na subong ang gina-preparahan sang team sang San Jose Parish Placer with the assistance of Sir Robert Alor who also organized the motorcade last year,” said Joyce Ann Clavecillas, Iloilo Dinagyang Festivals Foundation (IFFI) executive director.
She also said there will be Masses relative to the Dinagyang Festival but with limited attendees (30 percent capacity)./PN
