ILOILO City – Today starts the pandemic-restrained celebration of the Dinagyang Festival.
The opening salvo starts at 4 p.m.
But there will be no tribes dancing on the streets due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Instead, a motorcade of drum-beating Dinagyang warriors on seven huge cargo trucks would be going around the city, according to Gabriel Umadhay of the Iloilo City COVID team.
The motorcade would be streamed live on the Facebook pages of the city government, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Before the motorcade, a program would be streamed on Facebook.
“Dira makita ang trailer (of the performances) sang aton competing Dinagyang tribes,” said IFFI executive director Joyce Clavecillas.
Jan. 23 is the highlight of this year’s Dinagyang. The pre-recorded performances of seven competing tribes would be streamed on Facebook.
“Everybody will still feel our opening salvo without necessarily going out to the streets. We will bring the drumbeats to your homes,” said Umadhay.
This is the second straight year of the muted Dinagyang opening salvo. Last years’ was hailed as “best tourism practice” during a pandemic during the 2021 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ATOP) Pearl Awards.
Between today and Jan. 23, a few Dinagyang-related activities would be held such as the business expo on Jan. 17 to 18, Miss Iloilo beauty pageant on Jan. 22, mural painting contest from Jan. 17 to 22, Dinagyang TikTok dance contest, Dinagyang drumbeats competition, Dinagyang warriors costume exhibit, Santo Niño religious motorcade on Jan. 21, and nine days of novena masses at the San Jose de Placer Church in Plaza Libertad, among others.
Due to the pandemic, the IFFI decided to scrap the food festival; drum, bugle and lyre competition; the Kasadyahan contest of local cultural festivals; basketball and volleyball competitions; and the fluvial procession, among others.
This year’s Dinagyang theme is “Padayon Iloilo upod kay Senior Santo Niño.”
Padayon is Hiligaynon for “to continue”, “move forward”, “go on” or “resume”.
In these trying times, “This gives us the hope and inspiration,” said Eric Divinagracia, director of the Dinagyang tribes competition.
The Jan. 23 tribes contest on Facebook will feature seven performances showcasing Ilonggo heritage, practices and values by district:
* Villa-Arevalo – Pagsinadya (Celebration)
* Molo – Pag-amliganay (Nurturing)
* City Proper – Paghigugma (Love)
* Mandurriao – Pagpahanggud (Growth, Development)
* Jaro – Pagtililipon (Gathering
* La Paz – Paghirupay (Closeness)
* Lapuz – Pag-intindihanay (Understanding)/PN
