BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – This city’s celebration of “Adlaw sang Ciudad de Iloilo” on Oct. 5 highlighted Ilonggo artistry through the Iloilo Arts Festival 2023 at the SM City Events Center.
Themed “Hugyaw: Adlaw ta ini mga Ilonggo,” the event celebrated Ilonggo talent and tradition, which aims to make Iloilo City an arts center in the country.
This annual celebration is held every October. For this year, the Iloilo City Local Culture and Arts Council (ICLCAC) organized the event along with partner organizations.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the arts festival embodies unwavering dedication in bringing art closer to people’s hearts.
“It is a testament to our commitment to support and celebrate the brilliant talents of local artists and their exceptional creations,” he said.
The city mayor added that year after year, the city government strives to make the celebration grander to align with the vision of transforming Iloilo City into the “Arts Capital of the Philippines.”
Exciting events were prepared for the Ilonggos to widen and enrich their knowledge of their roots.
ICLCAC will hold the following competitions on Oct. 14: Singing Ilonggo Composition; Street Dance; Dance Sport; and Short and Sweet Play.
This southern metropolis became a city on Oct. 5, 1889.
This was highlighted in Regulation Ordinance No. 2020-097 authored by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon declaring Oct. 5 as “Adlaw sang Ciudad de Iloilo.”
“Ciudad de Iloilo” is the Spanish translation of “Dakbanwa sang Iloilo”, the name given to Iloilo City when it was created.
Ganzon cited “Gaceta de Manila”, the official publication of the Spanish Colonial Government of the Philippines, which documented that it was on Oct. 5, 1889, by virtue of a Royal Decree, Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain, that bestowed upon the then Municipality of Iloilo the title of “City”./PN
