ILOILO City – Some 600 Japanese tourists and crew on board a cruise ship will arrive in this city in January next year to witness Iloilo’s annual Dinagyang Festival.
“It will be a start. We are looking at Iloilo City as another cruise ship hub,” said Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 (Western Visayas).
They will be on board M/V Pacific Venus from Japan, Catalbas said, adding that she has requested to reserve some 400 tickets at the Freedom Grandstand.
The visit, she said, is very important, considering that the standard of Japanese tourists is very high.
“We have met that standard already,” she said, noting that they came to inspect the facilities in Iloilo City, such as banks, hospitals, hotels and shopping centers.
“They were impressed. That’s why they decided to push through with the cruise ship arrival in January. And I hope after that, it’s not only during Dinagyang,” Catalbas added.
The 2019 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival will be held on Jan. 25 to 27. It is held annually in honor of Sto. Niño, as it traces the history of Filipinos’ devotion to the Holy Child Jesus.
As part of preparations for next year’s festival, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) initiated a two-part conference on the Iloilo Dinagyang Rhythm and Vibes.
The first part of the conference that tackled Dinagyang music and choreography was held last Sept. 9-12, while the second part that will focus on costume and props design, visual production and resource management will be held on Sept. 26. (PNA)
