ILOILO City – The 100-day countdown to the much-anticipated face-to-face Dinagyang Festival 2023 on January 22, 2023 has started.
On October 14, the city government, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and San Jose de Placer Parish officially launched Dinagyang Festival 2023 with a promise of a bigger and livelier celebration of faith on the streets of this southern city.
SM City Iloilo played host to the festival launching, a testament of its continued commitment as a decades-long partner of the world-class cultural extravaganza.
The launching of the 100-day countdown through ceremonial drum beating at SM City Iloilo Southpoint was led by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon on behalf of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City’s Rep. Julienne Baronda, IFFI president Jose Layson Jr., San Jose de Placer parish priest Reverend Father Renchie Vicente Senoro, and SM SuperMalls Group Marketing Manager for Visayas-3 Kristine Joyce Yap.
Anchored on the theme, “Iloilo Dinagyang 2023: Pasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño”, next year’s edition of the festival will highlight the gratefulness of the Ilonggos to the Child Jesus for his protection and guidance especially during the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
For the past two years, Dinagyang was celebrated virtually because of the pandemic.
For Mayor Treñas, it is time again to make Dinagyang the grandest festival in the country.
“I am extremely excited and proud as an Ilonggo as we start the countdown for Dinagyang 2023. This is the first in-person Dinagyang after the COVID-19 pandemic hit us. The IFFI, together with the city government and our private sector partners, is doing everything to ensure that Dinagyang 2023 will become the grandest, the most exciting, and the most creative Dinagyang ever,” the city mayor said.
He added that the city government is specifically thankful to SM City Iloilo for their partnership with the city government in various undertakings, including the Dinagyang Festival.
In previous Dinagyang celebrations, the biggest mall in the city and the whole region has also been a premier venue for several Dinagyang special events.
Dinagyang is also more fun at SM City Iloilo as it offers an array of exciting events to complete the Dinagyang experience of the Ilonggos, local and foreign tourists.
Among these include extraordinary entertainment with renowned artists and personalities, and the Dinagyang Festival Sale.
Dinagyang is known for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
It 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.
Meantime, Baronda emphasized that despite the pandemic, Dinagyang remains a reflection of the Ilonggos’ deep love and devotion to their Catholic faith.
“This event is also socially, culturally, and economically significant to us as Ilonggos. Kag ginapakita sini kon paano naton ginapakamahal ang aton pagka-Ilonggo,” Baronda said as she encouraged the entire Ilonggo community to join the city government in preparing for and supporting Dinagyang 2023.
“Let us show everyone why our Dinagyang Festival is one of the best in the world…Kag ipakita naton sa tanan kung ngaa ginatawag kita ‘Cuidad sang Paghi-GUGMA,’” she added.
The festival launching also unveiled the major activities lined up for Dinagyang 2023.
IFFI executive director Joyce Clavecillas said all pre-pandemic Dinagyang activities will be revived such as the ati-ati tribes competition, float parade, food festival, liturgical activities, and religious sadsad, among others.
Major festival activities include Pamukaw on Dec. 16; Opening Salvo on Jan. 13; Miss Iloilo 2023 on Jan. 18; Dinagyang Food Festival from Jan. 19 to 22; Sto. Niño fluvial procession and solemn foot procession on Jan. 20; Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, Sponsors’ Mardi Gras, Grand Religious Sadsad, and Dinagyang Floats Parade of Lights on Jan. 21; and Feast Day of Señor Santo Niño De Cebu High Concelebrated High Mass, Dinagyang sa Barangay Tribes Competition, and Dinagyang Awarding Ceremony on Jan. 22./PN
