ILOILO – Yesterday’s pioneering “Dagyang sa Calle Real” was a triumphant kickoff leading to this year’s Dinagyang Festival highlight, dominating the City Proper’s most iconic stretch of JM Basa Street.
Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. president Joebert Peñaflorida said the celebration was a huge success, citing the barangay-based tribes’ glorious return on the Dinagyang stage after a near-decade out of the limelight.
“This is the first time re-intruding sang Dagyang sa Calle Real kag kita nalipay sa mainit nga pagbaton sang mga Ilonggo kag bisita sa aton mga nagkalain-lain nga tribu,” Peñaflorida told Panay News.
Nine tribes participated in the merry-making and street dancing which include Familia Sagrada (Roxas Village/Osmeña); Angola (Bolilao); Kanyao (Quintin Salas); Hamili (Ortiz); Pana-ad (Ortiz); Annipay (Don Sebastian); Molave (Rizal Estanzuela); Familia Sagasa (Sto. Rosario, Duran); and Parianon (Boulevard).
The revelry culminated in the religious sadsad that began at the San Jose de Placer Parish Church in front of Plaza Libertad, capping off the nine-day prayer for intentions (novena) through the intercession of patron saint Señor Sto. Niño. Led by the Cofradia del Sto. Niño de Cebu – Iloilo City Chapter, the grand religious sadsad during the Dinagyang Festival is a devotional celebration of faith and supplication
Since it was newly introduced to the public, Peñaflorida said the event encountered some minor “discomfort,” citing some police officers and security enforcers who used ropes to control the crowd around the venue. But this was readily remedied.
“Ang aton kapulisan and enforcers ang indi pa man gid naka-intindi nga ang Dagyang sa Calle Real is participative. So, initially may gamay nga concern sa mga lubid pero ini ang na-address within the first hour kay ang purpose sang religious event is tanan mag-upod indi nga lantawon naton kundi updan,” added Peñaflorida.
The inaugural Dagyang sa Calle Real has been deemed a “friendly competition” by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), with awards for Darling of the Crowd, Best in Costume, and Best in Performance set to be handed out after the event. Each of the tribes received a P300,000 subsidy.
Peñaflorida is hoping that Dinagyang will reach its 25,000 target revelers as the IFFI lined up myriad of activities.
The following are the IFFI Dinagyang 2020 events:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 24
* Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika – Jan. 24
* Fluvial and solemn foot procession – Jan. 24
* Floats Parade of Lights – Jan. 24
* Fireworks display – Jan. 24
* Dinagyang sa Calle Real – Jan. 25
* Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras – Jan. 25
* Religious sadsad – Jan. 25
* Dinagyang 360° – Jan. 26
Peñaflorida also invited everyone to join the highlight of this year’s festivity with the theme “Perfect Vision: Celebrating the Ilonggo Spirit in Honor of Señor Sto. Niño.”
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-Atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos./PN
