ILOILO City – Far from the usual festive and crowded city streets, this year’s Dinagyang Festival is a totally different celebration, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Throngs of spectators are out of the picture as authorities tweak the revelry to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
But one thing remains strong, according to Treñas – the faith of the Ilonggos.
“Padayon ang pagtuo kag debosyon sang mga Ilonggos sa pagsaulog bilang pagdayaw kay Señor Santo Niño,” said Treñas.
He led yesterday’s virtual “Pamukaw sa Opening Salvo” that kicked off the first-ever Digital Dinagyang.
The mayor lauded the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) headed by its president Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida and chairman Judgee Peña for organizing the 2021 edition of Dinagyang under a very challenging circumstance.
“We are a role model to other cities and provinces for safe festivities. In the entire country, only Iloilo is celebrating its festival as of this time,” Treñas said.
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.
Cong. Julienne Baronda echoed the city’s chief executive.
She said this year’s theme “One Dinagyang, One Iloilo, Halad kay Señor Sto. Niño!” reveals the secret to the city’s success in fighting the COVID pandemic – the Ilonggos’ unity and strong faith.
“Kita lang sa mga bantog nga festivals sa pungsod ang wala ginpa-iway. And we would like to give credit to the partnership of our private and public sectors for making this possible,” Baronda said.
Meanwhile, Iloilo province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. congratulated Iloilo City for pulling off this year’s celebration.
“Bisan pa may pandemya, nahimu naton ang mga bagay nga kinahanglan naton nga himuon kag gusto naton nga himuon bisan pa nga naga-engkwentro kita sa COVID-19. The best example is Dinagyang,” said Defensor.
Much of the Dinagyang activities this year will be transformed to a virtual spectacle, according IFFI’s Peñaflorida.
The religious sadsad or street dancing on Jan. 23 would be shown online.
The culmination on Jan. 24 will feature an online Dinagyang Mass and pre-filmed dance performances of Ati tribes.
Peñaflorida said Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo, also the reigning Miss Iloilo 2020, is the official ambassador of Dinagyang. She will also be hosting Digital Dinagyang 2021.
The digital mode of the festival, according to Peñaflorida, will enable spectators in other parts of the
country and abroad to view performances in different sites in the city.
He said among those to be recorded and streamed on social media are performances of selected tribes and those done by several tribes in collaborative work./PN
