ILOILO City – For the second straight year due to the coronavirus pandemic, this city staged Dinagyang Festival without the competing tribes performing before a live audience.
The tribe representing the district of La Paz was adjudged the overall champion, besting six other groups.
Thanks to new technology, the competing groups prerecorded their performances and these were streamed on Facebook yesterday morning.
Judges rated the tribes based on what they saw on video and during the digital recording of the performances.
Thanks to new technology, too, audiences here and around the world viewed the Dinagyang performances in the safety of their homes, far from possible exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Jerry Treñas declared the staging of Dinagyang 2022 a success.
“Mounting the whole festival in the midst of a pandemic and bringing it to the virtual platform is truly challenging, requiring dedication and perseverance from among the stakeholders,” he said
The La Paz tribe won P100,000 cash and trophy. It was also voted by netizens for the “People Choice Award”, earning for the group an additional P15,000.
The group also bagged all the technical awards and got P10,000 cash prize for each. These were the following – Best in Live Performance, Best in Film Performance, Best in Choreography, Best in Costume Design and Headdress, and Best in Production Design.
“We have proven time and time again that even in the face of challenges, we can hold our heads high, smile, continue to celebrate, and be proud as Ilonggos,” said Treñas.
The La Paz tribe also got almost all the Special Awards – Best Videographer, Best Costume Designer, Best Production Designer, Best Musical Director, and Best Choreographer (P5,000 cash prize each).
Lapuz tribe was declared first runner-up with a P75,000 cash prize while Molo was second runner-up bringing home P50,000 cash prize.
The Jaro tribe was third runner-up with a P35,000 cash prize.
Molo District also won as Best in Discipline.
The districts of Arevalo, City Proper and Mandurriao got consolation prizes mounting to P20,000 each.
“With our ardent desire to give honor to our patron, Senior Santo Niño, we were able to successfully stage the programs and activities lined up. Indeed, the celebration is a manifestation of our creativity and ingenuity as Ilonggos,” said Treñas.
The tribes showcased the Ilonggo values of Pagsinadya (Celebration), Pag-amliganay (Nurturing), Paghigugma (Love), Pagpahanggud (Growth, Development), Pagtilipon (Gathering), Paghirupay (Closeness), and Pag-intindihanay (Understanding)./PN
