ILOILO City – This city’s phenomenal Dinagyang Festival in honor of the Child Jesus has been credited time and again as a unifying force that binds all Ilonggos across time and places.
As the whole world battles the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Ilonggos have come together to show everyone how faith and devotion, culture and heritage, and movement and progress can produce a safe yet still colorful and vibrant celebration in the new normal.
“We achieved this feat of being named the Best Tourism Event in the country for three consecutive years because we were able to bring together the private sector and the government, so much so that we have come up with a better celebration every year,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
The city government has tapped the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) to be at the helm of Dinagyang in partnership with the San Jose Parish, home of the Santo Niño in Iloilo City.
Dinagyang has been widely known for its community participation and collaborative governance, with a Galing Pook award to boast for in 2012.
“Our festival is truly admired nationwide because people see that the private sector is really working hand in hand with the local government, and the coordination just goes on smoothly,” said Treñas.
In its more than 50 years of existence, Dinagyang has been giving local and foreign tourists a reason to visit Iloilo City every January, but not at this time of the year as organizers have decided on a “Digital Dinagyang” to safeguard everyone’s health against COVID-19 infection.
Aptly themed “One Dinagyang, One Iloilo Halad kay Señor Santo Niño”, this year’s edition has moved the platform (from physical to virtual) but the core message remains the same: Faith (devotion to Santo Niño), Foundation (indigenous culture/spirit of a warrior), Future (march to progress/rising up amidst adversity).
“Dinagyang has been with us for several years already, and this is thanks to our collaboration with the private sector. We have planned and prepared since last year, and not just an afterthought to comply with the guidelines on mass gathering,” said Treñas.
The public will be treated to a pre-filmed “One Dinagyang” Digital Presentation on Jan. 24 starting 7 a.m. via various official streaming platforms.
The performers were placed under a bubble environment for the whole duration of their preparations last year for the safety of all participants.
Netizens will be treated to a 360 degrees view of Dinagyang spectacle with a backdrop of various landmarks all over the metropolis where they were filmed.
Only special awards will be given out to the tribes, so there will be no awarding of the Grand Champion.
IFFI has emphasized that Dinagyang 2021 will be subdued and safe, with a celebration centered on prayer, strength and resilience.
Within each Ilonggo is the strength of a warrior, his deep faith – the gift of the Divine, and his resiliency, shared by a community that never gives up.
No more festive and busy streets, gone are the droves of local and foreign tourists during this time, yet the faith in the Child Jesus is stronger than ever.
The steadfast devotion to the Santo Niño gives strength to the Ilonggos who are unfazed in the midst of adapting to the new normal, and undaunted in moving forward as one people and one festival./PN