ILOILO CITY – Eight barangay-based tribes will be competing in next year’s face-to-face Dinagyang Festival.
These are Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Parianon, Tribu Panaad, Tribu Familia Sagrada, Tribu Molave, Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kanyao sang Baybayanon, and Tribu Halimau.
The “Dinagyang sa Barangay” tribes competition – the highlight of the Dinagyang 2023 – is slated on Jan. 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, in four judging areas starting from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Anchored on the theme, “Iloilo Dinagyang 2023: Pasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño”, next year’s edition of the festival will highlight the gratefulness of the Ilonggos to the Child Jesus for his protection and guidance especially during the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
For the past two years, Dinagyang was celebrated virtually because of the pandemic.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, Dinagyang 2023 will be the biggest and grandest ever festival in the country and will surpass all celebrations.
“Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), the Iloilo City Government, the tribes, and all our private sponsors will make sure that Dinagyang 2023 will institutionalize our title as ‘the best festival in the Philippines,’” the city mayor said.
The “Dinagyang ILOmination” tribes competition is also something to look forward as a festival innovation.
Seven tribes representing seven districts of Iloilo City – City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Molo, Mandurriao, and Arevalo – will light up the night with their bright and lighted costumes and performances.
This new competition will be held on Jan. 21, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the city’s New Business District on Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road), in Mandurriao district./PN
