President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday reminded devotees of Señor Sto. Niño celebrating the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo to lead in preserving, protecting, and promoting Filipino identity.
“Let the Dinagyang Festival serve as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve, protect, and promote our identity in these changing times,” the President said in his message.
Mr. Marcos said through such collective effort, Filipinos can ensure the continuity of the distinct way of life in the country.
“It is through this collective effort that we ensure the continuity of the distinct way of life that binds us as one nation moving ever forward towards a brighter future,” he said.
President Marcos said the Dinagyang Festival “showcases the vibrancy of lloilo and the profound sense of unity and pride that defines its proud and resilient people.”
The collective effort of Filipinos via the festival can ensure the continuity of the distinct way of life in the country, he said.
“The Dinagyang Festival is a reflection of the rich and colorful mosaic that make up all our indigenous groups, including the brave and enduring Ati people whom we also honor today,” he said.
Held annually every fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City to honor the Sto. Niño, the Dinagyang Festival is celebrated with a procession, float parade, and performances by various tribes.
The Philippine National Police deployed over 2,500 police personnel to ensure a peaceful celebration.
The 2024 Dinagyang Festival is a venue for Iloilo to showcase other major festivals, highlighting its claim as the festival capital of the Philippines.
Eric Divinagracia, artistic director of the festival, said the tribes’ competition on Jan. 28 will be seeing the performances not only of school-based participants but also special performances on the Chinese New Year, Paraw Regatta, and Bike Festival.
“There are special performances highlighting that Iloilo City and Iloilo province [as a whole] is a festival capital of the Philippines,” he said on Tuesday.
Based on the final schedule released by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the Chinese New Year presentation will come after the Tribu Taga Barrio and Tribu Mandurriao at the Freedom Grandstand. Vince Lopez
Paraw Regatta will be featured after the Tribu Salognon and Tribu Sigabong while there is a special participation of the Tambor Trumpa Musika.
Other participating tribes are the Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Silak, Tribu Paghidaet and Tribu Pan-ay.
Divinagracia said everything is set for the tribes’ competition, especially with the comeback of schools.
“Dinagyang is back to its form and we can really expect an exciting performance from our fellow Ilonggo artists, from our Dinagyang warriors. This time the sets are back, the panels are back, and with that, transition between tribes will have more space and time,” he added.
Meanwhile, spectators can expect more of Iloilo’s festivals during the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on Jan. 27.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the Kasadyahan is “very meaningful” because it provides a showroom for Iloilo to “share to the country the culture and the soul of the province.”
“Kasadyahan right now we are developing it into an F5 — the fun, foodie, friendly festival of festivals of the province because the parade is composed of tribes coming from different municipalities and their respective festivals,” he said.
The participants include the Kaing Festival of Leon, Katagman Festival of Oton, Saad Festival of Leganes, Cry of Jelicuon of New Lucena, Pantat Festival of Zarraga, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay of Calinog and Banaag Festival of Anilao.
The Dinagyang ILOmination and Floats Parade of Lights on the night of Jan. 26 will showcase tribes from various dance companies in Iloilo highlighting Ilonggo values.
The participants include Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kahirup, Tribu Mandurriao, Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Sidlangan, Tribu IAFA and Tribu Buntag-tala.