ILOILO City – After two years of virtual and toned-down celebrations due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Dinagyang Festival is literally back on the streets starting with today’s opening salvo of its 2023 edition.
A total of 15 tribes – eight from the Dagyang sa Barangay tribes competition and seven from the Dinagyang Ilomination contest – will give a sneak preview of their performances for the highlights of the festival on Jan. 21 and 22.
The opening salvo, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., will kick off at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on Muelle Loney Street.
During the route parade, Ilonggos will get a glimpse of the Dagyang sa Barangay competing tribes:
* Sagasa
* Ilonggohanon
* Sagrada Familia
* Molave kang Salog
* Kanyaw sang Baybayanon
* Parianon
* Halimaw
* Pana-ad
Meanwhile, the Dinagyang Ilomination seven tribes represent the seven city districts: Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo.
From the Freedom Granstand, the carousel type route parade will proceed to Gen. Peralta towards J.M. Basa and Iznart streets towards Casa Real (old Iloilo provincial capitol).
From Ledesma Street, the parade will turn right to Iznart Street towards Rizal Street for their final performance and continue to Mapa Street to J.M. Basa Street towards Zamora Street and then turn left to Calasanz Street and turn right to Dela Rama Street, turn left to Hervas Street and back to the Freedom Grandstand.
Relative to this, an ordinance was passed for the temporary road closure and implementation of “no entry” on the following streets:
* portions of Gen. Luna Street – from corner Mabini Street, side of Iloilo Central Elementary School until corner Muelle Loney Street
* Delgado Street – from corner Mabini Street until corner Iznart Street
* Portion of Ledesma Street – from corner Mabini Street until corner Iznart Street
* J. De Leon Street – from corner Mabini Street until corner Iznart Street
* portion of Aldeguer Street – from corner Iznart Street until corner Muelle Loney Street
* portion of Mapa Street – from corner Gen. Blanco Street until corner J.M. Basa Street
* Guanco Street – from corner Muelle Loney until corner J.M. Basa Street
* Ortiz Street – from Rizal Street until corner J.M. Basa Street
* Rizal Street – from corner Iznart Street until corner Ortiz Street
* JM Basa Street – whole stretch
* Iznart Street (including extension) – whole stretch
* Valeria Street – from corner J. De Leon Street until corner Gen. Luna Street
* Quezon Street – from corner J. De Leon Street until corner Gen. Luna Street
* Bonifacio Drive – from Forbes Bridge until corner Gen. Luna Street
* Montinola Street – from corner Muelle Loney until corner Iznart Street
* Solis Street – from corner Muelle Loney until corner Iznart Street
* Yulo Street – from corner Muelle Loney until corner Iznart Street
* Texas Street – from corner Mabini Street until Quezon Street
* Arroyo Street – from corner Muelle Loney until corner J.M. Basa Street
* Arsenal Street – from corner Muelle Loney until cornel J.M, Basa Street
* Peralta/Aduana – from corner Muelle Loney until corner J.M. Basa Street
* Muelle Loney – from Quirino Bridge towards the direction of Freedom Grandstand, and
* Muelle Loney Bridge – from Iloilo-Bacolod fast craft terminal to corner Muelle Loney
Aside from road closure, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) was also tasked to implement rerouting of the affected routes following the road closure.
This year’s face-to-face staging of the Dinagyang Festival is anchored on the theme, “Iloilo Dinagyang 2023: Pasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño” highlighting the gratefulness of the Ilonggos to the Child Jesus for his protection and guidance especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued an executive order suspending both face-to-face and online classes in public and private schools in the city in all levels for the opening salvo beginning 12:01 p.m. today.
“The participation of students in the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival especially in its opening program – opening salvo – can help inculcate in them the culture and values embodied by Ilonggos,” said Treñas.
During the opening salvo, the 18 stunning candidates for Miss Iloilo 2023 will also be presented.
Adding to the excitement is the Opening Salvo Concert of the country’s premier orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, with special artists and musicians, from 6:30 p.m. at the Iloilo Convention Center.
There will also be a Parish Opening Salvo Walk with Mary and Señor Sto. Niño De Cebu at 4 a.m. and the start of Novena Days for the Feast of Señor Santo Niño at the San Jose Parish Placer, all at the San Jose Parish Placer./PN
