BACOLOD City – After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Cadiz City’s Dinagsa Festival 2023 is back on the streets in honor of Santo Niño de Cadiz.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. officially declared the opening of the 49th Dinagsa Festival at the city’s grandstand on Jan. 21.
The festival kicked off with a motorcade around the city.
This year’s celebration will last until Jan. 29.
The city last celebrated Dinagsa in 2020 with an estimated crowd of 700,000 based on the assessment of the Philippine National Police, said the mayor.
“People were walking from Crossing Paho up to the city, almost eight kilometers in distance, because of how joyful the festival was,” Escalante explained.
A total of 60 activities were lined up, which started on Jan. 14.
Escalante is thankful for the city council’s help.
“Ini tanan natigayon because of the saying, “Bilis Cadiz ugyon Cadiznon“. Gaugyon kita, that is why we are able to realize our dreams and aspirations,” Escalante said.
He is also grateful to the 10 candidates for the Dinagsa Queen and the eight tribes joining the street dance competition./PN
