ILOILO City – Today starts the 100-day countdown to Dinagyang Festival 2020.
A ceremony led by Mayor Jerry Treñas will be held at Festive Walk Mall, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district after the 10 a.m. official launching of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits) campaign at the Iloilo Convention Center.
Guests from Manila attending the MICE event such as Sen. Franklin Drilon, Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and former senator Bam Aquino will also witness the kick-off of the Dinagyang countdown, according to City Tourism Office head Junel Divinagracia.
Three winning tribes from this year’s edition of the festival (Ilonganon, Paghidaet and Panayanon) will perform at the countdown kick-off ceremony.
“Their short performance will give everyone an idea what a 360-degree performance is going to be during the Dinagyang 2020,” said Divinagracia yesterday.
Contesting tribes would be required to choreograph their presentations in such a way that the dancers face the spectators from all angles during their performances.
Eight tribes have so far confirmed to join the Dinagyang tribes
competition on Jan. 26, 2020. These competing groups are the following:
* Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School (NHS)
* Tribu Barriohanon of Bo. Obrero NHS
* Tribu Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña Memorial NHS
* Tribu Salognon of Jaro NHS
* Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni NHS
* Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz NHS
* Tribu Binhi of Melchor L. Nava NHS
* Tribu Hugponganon of Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School
IFFI president Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida said more tribes are welcome to participate.
He also said tribe subsidies would be released by the city government beginning this month.
Each tribe will get a subsidy of P1.4 million.
The main performance area is the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand on Muelle Loney Street facing the Iloilo River.
Peñaflorida said the tribes’ choreography mush be such that their performances should face not only the grandstand but also the river.
“We will take advantage of the river, a potential area for additional seats from where more spectators could watch the presentations. The judges will be posted in all angles,” said Peñaflorida.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
Dinagyang Festival 2020’s theme is “Perfect Vision: Celebrating the Ilonggo Spirit in Honor of Senior Sto. Niño.”/PN
