BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
THIS year’s edition of the festival brings in major innovations, including the comeback of school-based tribes competing for the Ati Tribes competition.
Eight high schools will be competing on Dinagyang Festival’s highlight, Jan. 28, following a hiatus due to the pandemic.
“We can consider the highlight for 2024 the comeback of the schools. The last time they took part in our Dinagyang Festival was in 2020, before the pandemic,” said Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Themed “Pagdayaw kay Señor Sto. Nino, Padayaw sang mga Ilonggo!”, the festival will be held in four judging areas — Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Mabini-Delgado Street, and Quezon-Ledesma Street.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has assured that this year’s Dinagyang Festival is bigger than the previous years.
The city government alloted P15-million worth of projects for the school of the winning tribe. This is on top of the P10 million worth of projects Uswag Ilonggo party-list Representative Jojo Ang also committed./PN
PROFILES
* Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School
This school-based tribe from Lapuz district is currently managed by Arlene Alonzaga while its choreographers are Gerlin Francisco and Errol Villalobos. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 304 propsmen.
* Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School
This school-based tribe from La Paz district is currently managed by Ligaya Montelijao while its choreographer is Steven Jacosalem. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 200 propsmen.
* Tribu Taga-Baryo of Bo. Obrero National High School
This school-based tribe from Barangay Bo. Obrero in Lapuz is managed by Raymond Jangit while its choreographer is Romel Flogen. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 160 propsmen.
* Tribu Mandu-Riyaw of Mandurriao National High School
This school-based tribe from Mandurriao district is managed by Hyde S. Pilla while its choreographer is Robert Lapating. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 200 propsmen.
* Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School
This school-based tribe is managed by Melanie Tabaculde while its choreographer is Lonelle Robles Carado. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 150 propsmen.
* Tribu Sigabong of Ramon Avanceña National High School
This school-based tribe from Arevalo District is managed by Salvador Besares while its choreographer is Brian Francisco. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 140 propsmen.
* Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School
This school-based tribe from Jaro district is managed by Dr. Cynthia Punsalan while its choreographer is George Susvilla Jr. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 225 propsmen.
* Tribu Silak of Iloilo City National High School
This school-based tribe from Molo district is managed by Alpha A. Java while its choreographer Ramil Huyatid. The group composed of 90 dancers, 60 musicians, and 200 propsmen.
Photo credits: ILOILO DINAGYANG FESTIVAL / FACEBOOK
