ILOILO City – This year’s Dinagyang is the festival’s biggest edition in years, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas during yesterday’s opening salvo where participating contingents treated spectators to a preview of their performances on Jan. 26.
“We will be pleasantly surprised. The Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) has lined up a lot of exciting activities,” said Treñas.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking.
The city government tapped the newly organized IFFI – made up of prominent Ilonggo businessmen – to handle this year’s Dinagyang.
Previous Dinagyang festivals were organized by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. but Treñas had a falling out with it in January 2019; he was not invited to the festival last year.
Yesterday’s opening salvo was held at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand. Treñas made a public appeal. “Let us please make this year’s Dinagyang the most peaceful edition of our festival, too,” he said.
The IFFI lined up the following official Dinagyang activities:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 23
* 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° ati tribes competition – Jan. 26
“I am very pleased,” said Treñas.
Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
According to Treñas, the huge crowds attending the nightly rehearsals of the eight contingents competing in the Dinagyang 360° ati tribes contest were indicative of the huge volume of spectators expected to watch the festival’s highlight on Jan. 26.
He reminded them, though, of the real essence of Dinagyang – devotion to the Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus).
The eight tribes yesterday showcased endangered faunas endemic to Panay Island’s mountain ranges. These were the following.
* Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School (NHS) – Visayan Spotted Deer
* Baybayanon of Melchor L. Nava NHS – Ilahas nga Manok
* Ilonganon of Jalandoni NHS – Tariktik (Horn Bill)
* Salognon of Jaro NHS – Miro (Civet Cat)
* Hugponganon of Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School – Maral (Leopard Cat)
* Baryohanon of Bo. Obrero NHS – Murogmon (Owl)
* Paghidaet of La Paz NHS – Banog (Hawk)
* Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña Memorial NHS – Maradyang (Panay Striped Babbler)
Also yesterday, barangay-based tribes participating in the Dagyang sa Calle Real showed a sneak peek of their performance.
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.
The opening salvo was capped by a fireworks display at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand./PN
