ILOILO City – Hoping to attract more tourists to this city, Dinagyang Festival kicked off its Philippine tour with a live performance in Pampanga province on March 1.
According to Michael Ng, delegation head, 45 members of this year’s Dinagyang Festival champion Tribu Ilonganon staged a performance at SM City Pampanga then did street dancing on Angeles City’s streets.
In the morning of March 2, Tribu Ilonganon had a repeat performance at SM City Pampanga then proceeded to SM City Baguio in the afternoon.
Spectators were impressed, said Ng.
There were a total of 15 Tribu Ilonganon drummers, five female dancers and 25 warriors under the supervision of the tribe choreographer, assistant choreographer and musical director.
Also over the weekend, Dinagyang joined the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City as a non-competing contingent.
The next destinations of Dinagyang are the following:
* Guimaras island province for the Manggahan Festival on May 11-12
* Bohol province for the Sandugo Festival on July 27
* Davao City for the Kadayawan Festival on Aug. 12-18
* Dumaguete City for the Buglasan Festival on Oct. 19
* Bacolod City for the MassKara Festival on Oct. 27
* San Carlos City, Negros Occidental for the Pintaflores Festival on Nov. 5.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The revelry started in 1967 when a replica of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church here.
The image, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums.
In 1968, the festival was formally launched./PN
