ILOILO City – This southern city is poised to make everyone’s hearts beat for Dinagyang Festival 2024. This as the festival’s 100-day countdown at SM City Iloilo begun last Oct. 20.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who led the countdown, said that next year will mark the second in-person celebration of the world-class festival after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Indeed, our strength and faith as one Ilonggo community have sustained and lifted us despite the challenges. We bring back the honor and glory to our dear Señor Sto. Niño as we continue to be nothing but extremely proud of our resilience,” the city mayor stressed.
The Dinagyang 2024 is themed, “Pagdayaw kay Señor Sto. Niño, Padayaw sang mga Ilonggo!”
“Ang aton pagbinuligay, paghugpong kag himpit nga pagtuo, isa sa pinakadaku nga butang nga aton gid mapadayaw sa bilog nga kalibutan bilang mga Ilonggo. We have come this far bangod sang aton pagbinuligay,” the city mayor added.
Treñas was joined by Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) president Allan Tan, Rev. Father Renchie Vicente Senor and SM City Iloilo Assistant Mall Manager Darrel John Defensor as he officially declared the start of the 100-day countdown to Dinagyang 2024.
The city mayor especially thanked the steering and working committees from the IFFI, San Jose de Placer Parish, Iloilo City Government as well as private sector partners like SM City Iloilo for the hard work and commitment just to ensure that the Dinagyang celebration is always on its best version.
“Let us all continue to work together and showcase our beloved city to the world. Let’s share the excitement of our hearts that beat in and for Iloilo City,” he added.
Meanwhile, the ambience at SM City Iloilo Southpoint prior the countdown ceremony was fired up with excitement with the presence and fun treats from famous Ilonggo social media influencers like Kalinti by TBON.
Also, spectators also enjoyed the Dinagyang Photobooth and Dinagyang Face Painting.
SM City has been a consistent decades-long partner of the city government in the celebration of Dinagyang Festival.
Aside from being a premier venue or host for several Dinagyang special events such as Dinagyang Ilomination, SM is the biggest single corporation sponsor of the world-renowned festival for its 2023 edition.
The mall itself also prepared exciting fun-filled activities and treats for its shoppers, local and foreign, completing the Dinagyang experience.
Meanwhile, IFFI president Allan Tan thanked all stakeholders especially the academe for the return of the schools in the Dinagyang tribes competition.
“Dinagyang Festival is a testament as to how a strong partnership between the government and the private sector can lead to amazing results. When everyone is working hand in hand towards one goal anything is possible,” Tan said./PN
