ILOILO City – As this year’s Dinagyang Festival champion, Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School earned the right to represent Iloilo City in next month’s 2018 Aliwan Fiesta in Metro Manila – an annual competition of the country’s best festivals.
Budgetary constraints may, however, hamper its participation – and the promotion of Dinagyang and Iloilo City – in what is billed as the Philippines’ grandest fiesta.
“Indi man kita kahulag kun wala budget,” according to Panayanon choreographer Romel Flogen.
They have yet to start rehearsing for the Aliwan which is from April 26 to 28 in Pasay City, Metro Manila, said Flogen, Dinagyang’s best choreographer awardee these past two years.
How much is needed for Panayanon’s Aliwan participation?
According to Ramon Cua Locsin, chairperson of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI), “Kadako sang ginapangayo nila.”
The money needed may reach P4 million, he said, to cover the fare, food and accommodation of the Panayanon contingent, transport of props, choreographer’s fee and dance masters’ fees.
“Ambot ah kun masarangan. Wala ko kabalo,” said Locsin.
From whom should the budget come is another question.
If Locsin were to be believed, it is the city government that should provide the bulk of the budget.
“Supposed to be city government ina. Ang kulang ginatabunan namon,” he told Panay News.
But it also appeared from the interview with Locsin that IDFI was not even sure if the city government really wanted to participate in this year’s Aliwan.
“Wala ko balo. Ang disesyon mahalin gid ina sa mayor’s office,” he said.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III could not be reached for comment as of this writing. But Flogen said Panayanon really looked forward to performing at the Aliwan because the mayor wanted them to go.
“It’s the 50th year ka Dinagyang so gusto nila may i-send gid nga tribe sa Aliwan,” said Flogen, recalling the mayor’s statement on Panayanon’s Aliwan stint during the announcement of Dinagyang 2018 winners on the night of Jan. 28 at the Freedom Grandstand.
But there has been no official communication yet from the city government, Flogen told Panay News.
“Ginahulat pa namon ang go signal, concrete nga go signal from the IDFI and city government kun ano gid ang status in terms of budget,” he said.
Flogen confirmed having an initial discussion with IDFI about the production, concept and tribe presentation for the Aliwan.
“Pila ang plete subong nga daan? Sobra P5,000 ang sukot ka barko; 350 ka tawo malakat, te pila ina?” said Locsin.
Dinagyang Festival had been the Aliwan Fiesta champion six times – 2017, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2014.
Aliwan Fiesta, which began in 2003, aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the people in Metro Manila but also to the rest of the world.
The contingents, meanwhile, aim to promote their respective regions both economically and tourism-wise.
Aliwan Fiesta was originally organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas season but it has since been held during the summer months of either April or May.
Aliwan is a Tagalog word for “entertainment” or “amusement.”/PN
Kaluya sang aliwan kung wala dinagyang besides pride mana ka iloilo defend ang trono nila…maka attract kag promote ka dinagyang sus kawaton nyu lang funding da te ang kita sang past dinagyang diin nagkadto ang past kita ka dinagyang ya…wala nyu napakita kung pila nakita sang dinagyang salig lang kay foundation sya bwahahahha