ILOILO City – The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) has proposed to bring the Dinagyang Festival to key cities and provinces.
“In the succeeding months, we will endeavor to bring Dinagyang to its first Philippine tour. It will participate in various festivals,” said IDFI president Ramon Cua-Locsin yesterday.
In recent years, Dinagyang Festival champions performed abroad – in the United States (New York, Los Angeles, Guam), South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan – on the invitation of various foreign hosts.
Dinagyang Festival is also annually participating in the Aliwan Fiesta – a competition of the country’s biggest festivals – in Metro Manila and has been declared the champion in 2004, 2011, 2012,2 013, and 2014.
Iloilo City’s festival has been chosen the best tourism event in the country by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010; and best festival in the 1st Philippine Tourism Industry Awards of United Stars Events and Exhibitions Corporation in 2017.
In 2012, it was cited in the Galing Pook Awards (one of the best local governance practices).
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The Dinagyang Festival is known for the participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
The revelry started in 1967 when a replica of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church here.
The image, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums.
In 1968, the festival was formally launched.
“With your help and continued support, we are confident that the Dinagyang Festival will stay as the country’s biggest gathering of religious faithful, art patrons, renowned performers, foodies, fun-loving tourists and balikbayans,” Cua-Locsin told the crowd during yesterday’s 51st edition of the festival held at the new Iloilo City Dinagyang Grandstand on Muelle Loney Street./PNs
