ILOILO City – What’s the rationale behind the newest Dinagyang Festival tribes competition called Dinagyang Ilomination?
“From darkness comes the light,” said Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI).
Dinagyang llomination will be held on Jan. 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Mandurriao – the city’s new business district.
“As explained by our artistic directors, Professor Eric Divinagracia and sir Elbert Bañares, we want to emphasize there is always light and hope after being in the dark due to the pandemic. Light symbolizes Senior Sto. Niño,” said Clavecillas.
Unlike the traditional Dinagyang warrior costumes, those for the Dinagyang Ilomination will be dazzling with light.
Seven tribes representing the seven districts of Iloilo City will be competing in three judging areas – Atria Business Park, SM City Iloilo and Iloilo Business Park.
“For the first time our three major townships are coming together to support this tribes competition. One reason man nga ginbutang naton didto is to showcase ang progress na so far ni Iloilo City dira sa new business district,” Clavecillas added.The Floats Parade of Light will come side by side with the Dinagyang Ilomination.
“It’s gonna be a colorful presentation… Senior Sto. Niño will definitely be infused in the performances sang aton Ilomination tribes,” said Clavecillas.
There will be separate passes for the Dinagyang Ilomination which are available in IFFI partner hotels such as Hotel Del Rio for the SM City Iloilo judging area, Seda Hotel for Atria District Park judging area and Richmonde Hotel for Iloilo Business Park judging area.
Another highlight of the world-class festival is the Dinagyang sa Kabarangayan on Jan. 22, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, in four judging areas starting from the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand.
The competing tribes are Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Parianon, Tribu Panaad, Tribu Familia Sagrada, Tribu Molave, Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kanyao sang Baybayanon, and Tribu Halimau.
On the other hand, the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan competition will be held in the morning of Jan. 21. It is a showcase of Western Visayas’ various festivals.
There are eight festival contingents from Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental, said Kasadyahan committee chaired Dr. Eden Deriada.
Meantime, the Grand Religious Sadsad will be happening on Jan. 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the San Jose de Placer Church.
Clavecillas said most hotels in Iloilo City are now fully booked for the festival.
“We encourage our guests to still wear facemask especially if the area is crowded,” she said, noting that the coronavirus disease pandemic is not yet over./PN
