This year’s Dinagyang Festival goes virtual, allowing everyone – may they be in the city or otherwise – to join in the celebration safely tucked indoors.
The Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and its stakeholders conceptualized the celebration in the last quarter of 2020 striving to ensure a balance between economy and good health.
After a series of meetings and consultations, the IFFI and the city government announced the “Virtual Dinagyang 2021” during the homecoming of Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking.
Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida, IFFI president, said the new version of Dinagyang offers different concepts – the 360 Degrees View, Dinagyang 360 Degrees Turn-Around, and Dinagyang 360 Degrees platform.
Under the 360 Degrees View, the festival can be seen from different wonderful sights of the city with the 360 Degrees Concept.
The Dinagyang 360 Degrees Turn-Around, on the other hand, is a new way of seeing the Dinagyang Festival on social media platforms. With the Dinagyang 360 Degrees Platform, tribal presentations can be witnessed around the country and across the globe.
Seven tribes composed of 30 dancers are showcasing a virtual spectacle, each representing the city’s seven districts namely Jaro, La Paz, City Proper, Molo, Arevalo, Mandurriao, and Lapuz.
Mayor Jerry assured said participants in the ceremonial dance had been constantly tested against the coronavirus disease and quarantined for a month.
“We tested them for COVID from time to time, just to make sure they were safe.”
The dancers rehearsed and filmed within a 20-day bubble, delayed by two extra two days of shoot due to heavy rains caused by the Tropical Depression “Vicky.” Filming wrapped up at the San Jose Parish Church and the Sunburst Park, both in the City Proper.
Overall, the performances were under the direction of Eric Divinagracia, the festival’s artistic director.
Peñaflorida stressed that Tribu Paghidaet is still the reigning ati-ati tribes champion.
The actual tribes competition will resume in the next staging of the Dinagyang (2022) when COVID-19 would hopefully be no longer a threat.
With the theme “One Dinagyang, One Iloilo, Halad kay Senor Sto. Niño”, this year’s festival, known for drumbeats and striking colors, would be streamed live on social media.
The religious sadsad or street dancing on Jan. 23 would be shown online.
The culmination on Jan. 24 will feature an online Dinagyang Mass and pre-filmed dance performances of Ati tribes.
Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo, also the reigning Miss Iloilo 2020, is the official ambassador of Dinagyang. She will also be hosting Digital Dinagyang 2021.
The digital mode of the festival, according to Peñaflorida, will enable spectators in other parts of the
country and abroad to view performances in different sites in the city.
A tribute to health and other workers, who are on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, would be added./PN
