ILOILO – The provincial government’s hosting of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan 2024 would help promote Iloilo province’s new tourism slogan.
“It is our chance to promote ‘Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo,’” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The new tourism slogan has many variations, he said, adding it can be “Fun, Foodie, Friendly” with family or friends, and even in festivals like the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan.
On Sept. 7, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin met with Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) vice president Allan Ryan Tan and executive director Joyce Clavecillas, and festival artistic director Eric Divinagracia regarding the latter’s proposal for the provincial government to handle the competition.
Defensor said the provincial government and IFFI are finalizing the details of the transition.
The governor further said that despite the transition, next year’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan would still be a showcase of festivals across the province and of those from other provinces in Western Visayas that would want to participate.
The Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is one of the major events of the Dinagyang Festival 2024. It is slated on Jan. 27, 2024, a day before the highlight Dagyang sa Barangay tribes competition.
Last year, Tribu Jalaud from Calinog, Iloilo was declared Kasadyahan champion. It bested seven other festivals from Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental:
* Tribu Miniluan from Talisay City, Negros Occidental
* Tribu Tiringbanay from San Jose de Buenavista, Antique
* Guban Manughaw-as sang Dumangas from Dumangas, Iloilo
* Sipalay Burangoy Kite Festival from Sipalay City, Negros Occidental
* Tribu Saludan from Tigbauan, Iloilo
* Tribu Madia-as from Culasi, Antique, and
* Pasalamat Festival from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
Earlier, Clavecillas revealed that the IFFI has started a series of consultative meetings to gather inputs from stakeholders and partners for the 2024 edition of the Dinagyang festival.
Set to highlight on Jan. 28, 2024, the socio-cultural and religious celebration will have as its theme, “Pagdayaw kay Señor Sto. Niño, Padayaw sang mga Ilonggo!”
According to the festival organizer, the 2024 Dinagyang theme encapsulates the Ilonggos’ unwavering faith and devotion to Señor Sto. Niño, as well as their being loud and proud of their culture, talents, food, and the city’s beauty, among others.
“Ang aton pagdayaw kay Sto. Niño kag ang showcase sang mga Ilonggo sang aton mga talento, kultura and sang Syudad sang Iloilo – the theme revolves around those aspects,” said Clavecillas.
She added: “Every year makita naton how everybody works hard for the festival. So, we hope it’s still going to be a fun and meaningful gihapon nga celebration.”/PN
