BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Artistic Committee of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2025 has vowed to ensure a controversy-free competition, addressing issues that marred last year’s event.
In 2024, Tribu Silak lost the championship to Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School due to a penalty for an oversized prop, a decision that sparked heated debates.
To prevent similar incidents, the committee is implementing stricter measures this year.
Professor Eric Divinagracia, artistic director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and a member of the Artistic Committee, said their goal is to ensure fairness and avoid “heartbreaking decisions.”
“We aim for a fair and smooth competition without any heartbreaking decisions,” Divinagracia said.
The committee has conducted pre-event inspections of props and costumes for all participating tribes, advising groups to resolve any violations of size limitations outlined in the competition guidelines.
To reinforce compliance, on-the-spot inspections will also be carried out two hours before the performances.
Additionally, a grievance mechanism has been established to handle disputes.
Tribes or parties with complaints must submit a written grievance to the Grievance Committee within one hour after the final performance. The process is designed to ensure due process and fairness.
Atty. Pauline Grace Alfuente, dean of the West Visayas State University College of Law, chairs the Grievance Committee.
Organizers are optimistic that these measures will uphold the integrity of the festival while celebrating the artistry and cultural heritage of Iloilo.
The Dinagyang Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in the country, held every January in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and to commemorate the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay Island. It is widely recognized for its colorful street dances, pulsating drumbeats, and elaborate costumes, attracting both local and international visitors./PN
