ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas and House Deputy Majority Leader Julienne “Jam” Baronda will lead the Ilonggos in welcoming dignitaries, national officials, Santo Niño devotees, domestic and foreign tourists, and thousands of revelers converging in this city today for Dinagyang Festival 2023.
A solemn Mass will start the highlight of the world-renowned festival at 6 a.m. at the San Jose de Placer Church where deeper devotion and more heartfelt gratitude is expected to underline the celebration as Ilonggos express thanks to the Holy Child Jesus for helping them overcome the coronavirus pandemic. It will be followed by the tribes’ competition at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand eagerly awaited by everyone who missed it for the last two years.
“This year’s Dinagyang is very special to us. Our theme, ‘Pasalamat kay Señor Santo Niño’ encapsulates what is in the heart of each and every Ilonggo. We thank God for keeping us strong as we fought the pandemic. Our faith and devotion made us triumphant over the global crisis,” said Cong. Baronda of the Lone District of Iloilo City.
Under the sterling leadership of Mayor Treñas, Baronda added that the city government and Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) as well as the San Jose de Placer Parish, Iloilo City Council, Uswag Ilonggo’s Rep. Jojo Ang, socio-civic organizations, private companies and sponsors, and her office came together so that the return of Dinagyang Festival will exceed expectations.
“Through Dinagyang 2023, we are reopening our doors to our guests for them to join us in thanking Jesus while at the same time showcasing what Ilonggo unity, resilience, grit, and indomitable spirit to triumph over life’s challenges can bring about,” Baronda further said.
The House leader further said the festival’s return is good for the local economy as tourists would most likely pick Ilonggo flavors they missed or that they want to try, while investors may see the potential this regional center offers.
DIGNITARIES
Baronda, Treñas, Ang, and other city officials are set to welcome national officials and dignitaries led by First Lady Liza Marcos, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Bong Go. Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Francis Tolentino, and Sen. Mark Villar, and the envoys of Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nigeria, Norway, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Japan, and the United States.
Baronda’s House colleagues Cong. Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, Cong. Bai Dimple Mastura, Cong. Margarita Ignacia “Migs” Nograles, Cong. Ivan Howard Guintu, and Cong. Alfred Vargas are set to join the festivities along with national government officials like Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, Local Government Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Information and Communications Technology Assistant Secretary Ana Mae Lamentillo, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office’s Assistant Secretary Samantha Louise Vargas Alfonso, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Bernie Candolada, and San Manuel, Tarlac’s Mayor Donya Tesoro.
Not only will the visitors and balikbayans be awed by the revelry and performances but also by the transformation of the heart of the Philippines into an Asian or global economic hub.
“Our unity, teamwork and shared vision with Mayor Treñas and the city legislature are bearing fruit. Many investors are coming in. That is why we are challenged to ensure that needed infrastructure is in place. That is why I want to address flooding by rehabilitating and redeveloping our rivers and floodways. We are also improving our hospitals and healthcare, housing, education, and other social services to address the needs of a growing city,” said Cong. Baronda.
Baronda, whose GUGMA Ko, H.O.P.E. Mo platform complements Treñas’s W.H.E.E.L.S. program, is serving her second term.
In her first six months in office, seven bills she co-authored, including House Bill 6557 or the “Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers”, have been approved on third and final reading at the Lower Chamber, and are with the Senate for their review./PN
