ILOILO City – The Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA) is encouraging members to serve halal food during the four-day Ilonggo Food Festival, one of the side events of Dinagyang Festival 2020 next month.
Halal food are food – especially meat – prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
IHRRA members have been actively participating in halal seminars organized by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism and Department of Agriculture.
“We encourage members to consider supplying or expanding into halal food,” said Happy Abenir, IHRRA spokesperson.
Halal food processing has certain requirements such as a separate kitchen and different method of cooking, among others, said Abenir. Thus, while revelers may be able to taste halal food during the Dinagyang food fest from Jan. 23 to 26, it may take some time before IHRRA members could become suppliers of halal.
“We beg the indulgence of those requiring halal food. I think we cannot supply yet for the meantime. Hopefully next year,” said Abenir.
Around 30 IHRAA members (hotels, resorts and restaurants) are participating in the Dinagyang food fest on Delgado Street, City Proper.
The food fest theme is “Viva Iloilo, the Best of the Best for 2020.”
Aside from their signature products, IHRAA members would be offering popular Ilonggo dishes such as grilled chicken, baked oysters and fresh seafood, among others, said Abenir.
Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
DINAGYANG ‘PAMUKAW’ TONIGHT
For an hour today this city would be rumbling with drums. This Dinagyang Festival 2020 “Pamukaw” aims to kick-start the festive mood as Ilonggos prepare for the annual festivity next month.
“Pamukaw” is Hiligaynon for “wakeup call.”
From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. participating Dinagyang ati tribes competition contingents would gather at various public plazas and simultaneously play their drums and perhaps give a sneak peek of their Jan. 26 performance.
The venues are Arevalo plaza, Mandurriao plaza, Molo plaza, Jaro plaza, La Paz plaza, Plaza Libertad, Sunburst Park, and SM City Iloilo.
In previous years, the “Pamukaw” was a parade of the tribes. Not this time, according to the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) that the city government has tapped to organize the 2020 edition of Dinagyang.
In Arevalo plaza the tribe assigned is Molave; it’s Familia Sagrada at Mandurriao plaza; Tribu Parianon at Molo plaza; Tribu Kanyao at Jaro plaza; Tribu Aninipay at La Paz plaza; Tribu Hamili and Tribu Sagasa at Plaza Libertad; Tribu Panaad at Sunburst Park; and Tribu Angola at SM City City.
Participants in the “Dagyang sa Calle” slated on Jan. 25 will also be joining the “Pamukaw”.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is known for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
The highlight of the festival is on Jan. 26, 2020 – the tribes competition.
Dinagyang has been voted the “best tourism event” three times in a row – 2006, 2007 and 2008 – by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.
The IFFI has lined up the following Dinagyang 2020 activities:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 24
* Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika – Jan. 24
* fluvial and solemn foot procession – Jan. 24
* Floats Parade of Lights – Jan. 24
* fireworks display – Jan. 24
* Dinagyang sa Calle Real – Jan. 25
* Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras – Jan. 25
* religious sadsad – Jan. 25
* Dinagyang 360° – Jan. 26/PN
