BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Ilonggos are encouraged to volunteer for the 2025 Dinagyang Festival to ensure it becomes a joyous and unforgettable event.
Volunteers will play a vital role in creating a vibrant and well-organized celebration, contributing to the festival’s success, according to Allan Ryan Tan, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) president.
By offering their time and skills, Tan noted the community can help highlight Iloilo’s rich culture and traditions, making Dinagyang a meaningful experience for both locals and visitors alike.
“Let’s work together to ensure that Dinagyang 2025 is a celebration filled with joy and unforgettable moments,” Tan said during the launching of the 100-day countdown to the Dinagyang 2025.
Tan emphasized that the Dinagyang Festival is an expression of Ilonggo culture and a symbol of the community’s deep-rooted connection to Señor Santo Niño.
He noted that the festival not only showcases the rich heritage and traditions of Iloilo but also reflects the strong faith and devotion of the Ilonggos.
“It’s a time when we come together as a community to honor our heritage and showcase the incredible talent of our people,” said Tan.
Over the next 100 days, he stressed the Ilonggos will be immersed in a series of thrilling activities — parades, celebrations, and mouthwatering flavors of local food.
“Each event will serve as a reminder of the spirit of unity that defines us as Ilonggos. These festivities also strengthen the bond that brings our community together, making the Dinagyang Festival a truly unforgettable experience for all,” said Tan.
As the city government prepares for the festival, Tan urged the Ilonggos to remember the essence of Dinagyang – the deep devotion to Señor Santo Niño and the gratitude that Ilonggos owe to their ancestors.
“So, let’s embrace this countdown with open hearts! Share your excitement on social media, invite your loved ones, and spread the word far and wide,” said Tan.
“Together, let’s make this year’s Dinagyang Festival a celebration to remember—one filled with joy, unity, and the vibrant spirit of our culture!” he added.
For his part, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas noted that the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival has always stood as a powerful testament to our rich culture and unwavering faith as Ilonggos.
For the 2025 staging, the Dinagyang carries the theme, “Buhi nga Pagtuo sa Kinabuhi sang mga Ilonggo,” reflecting that Ilonggos always keep their faith alive and strong in their daily lives.
“As a community and as Ilonggos, we have faced many challenges, but it is our faith that gives us strength to persevere and overcome any adversities,” read the mayor’s statement through his daughter and executive assistant, Raisa Treñas-Chu.
During the 100-day countdown to the Dinagyang 2025, the IFFI also announced that eight tribes are competing in the festival’s street dance competition.
The eight tribes composed of a mix of school-based and barangay-based contingents include Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School; Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School; Tribu Parianon; Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School; Tribu Pag-asa Kang Mandurriao; Tribu Hangaway; Tribu Molave; Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School.
Meanwhile, Tan added that the Ilomination street dance and parade will be even grander for the 2025 Dinagyang Festival. This year, lighted festivals from across the country have been invited to participate, making it the first gathering of its kind in the Philippines. The event promises to be a dazzling spectacle, adding a new dimension to the festival’s vibrant celebration.
In line with this, the IFFI also announced it is ramping up its “Visit Iloilo” campaign to attract more tourists to Iloilo City, aiming to showcase the city’s cultural richness and ensure a memorable experience for visitors./PN
