ILOILO City – Get ready to be “ilominated” on Jan. 21 at SM City Iloilo with the newest Dinagyang Festival innovation – the Dinagyang Ilomination tribes competition.
Seven tribes representing the seven districts of Iloilo City – City Proper, Mandurriao, La Paz, Jaro, Molo, Arevalo and La Puz – will be competing with their illuminated costumes and dazzling performances.
True to its commitment to fully support Dinagyang Festival 2023, SM City Iloilo, the festival’s biggest sponsor, will be the main judging area for this unique competition.
Described as a celebration of hope amid dark challenges such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Dinagyang Ilomination will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“As explained by our artistic directors, Professor Eric Divinagracia and Sir Elbert Bañares, we want to emphasize that there is always light and hope after being in the dark due to the pandemic. Light symbolizes Senior Sto. Niño,” said Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) executive director Joyce Clavecillas.
The main judging area, which is at the main entrance of SM City Iloilo, will host the opening program of the Dinagyang Ilomination. It will be led by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, IFFI officers and other distinguished guests.
The city mayor is thankful to SM City Iloilo for being a steadfast supporter of the Dinagyang Festival as co-presentor of the celebration, and other undertakings of the city government.
Among the festival’s corporate sponsors, SM City Iloilo has the biggest assistance given at P17 million, P10 million of which is cash.
“Daku gid ang aton pasalamatan sa SM sa ila nga bulig,” Treñas stressed.
Tagged as the ultimate destination for the Best Dinagyang Festival experience, SM City Iloilo hosts several Dinagyang-related activities starting from the Dinagyang launching (the 100-Day countdown to Dinagyang 2023), to the Miss Iloilo 2023 preliminary activities, Dinagyang Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) 2023, Iloilo Dinagyang Pasasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño poster-making contest, 1st Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Half Marathon 2023, and Batchoy Festival, among others.
Shoppers also got an early treat from SM City through best deals and huge discounts at The AweSM SM City Iloilo sale from Jan. 16 to 22.
Meanwhile, Clavecillas emphasized that the Dinagyang Ilomination will also be a showcase of the economic and infrastructure developments of Iloilo City.
“It’s gonna be a colorful presentation… Senior Sto. Niño will definitely be infused in the performances sang aton Ilomination tribes,” said Clavecillas.
The Floats Parade of Light will come side by side with the Dinagyang Ilomination./PN
