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[av_heading heading=’NO ‘EPAL’ SPEECHES, SAYS JOE Palace confirms Du30 to grace Dinagyang 2018 ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ and GLEND A SOLOGASTOA
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Tuesday, December 5, 2017
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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the invitation of the city government of Iloilo to grace Dinagyang Festival next month, according to Malacañang.
“[It’s] in [schedule],” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque confirmed to Panay News yesterday when asked about the invitation.
The President could address the Ilonggos during the program if he wanted to, according to Mayor Jose Espinosa III, but only the country’s chief executive would be given such opportunity to speak and nobody else.
The mayor said he would ban “epal” speeches and tarpaulins during the Dinagyang.
In Filipino slang, “epal” describes a person shamelessly presenting himself in a situation.
Dinagyang Festival is celebrated every fourth weekend of January. Espinosa personally invited the President during a visit to the Palace on Nov. 23.
Iloilo City is marking Dinagyang’s 50th anniversary next month.
Over the weekend Espinosa said Duterte’s attendance to the festival was “90 percent” sure.
Roque said the President “might” watch the Dinagyang ati tribes’ performances.
“He did in Bacolod,” said Roque, referring to the MassKara Festival that the President graced in October.
Once the President has settled at the Freedom Grandstand, the program will immediately start.
“Kon ara siya, ang aton programa will be abbreviated,” Espinosa said.
Except for the President’s, there would be no more speeches so that the tribes’ performances could immediately start.
“Pagpungko ‘ya, national anthem lang, prayer kag I will just declare Dinagyang 2018 open. Tribu (tribe performances) dayun,” said Espinosa.
The most important thing is to showcase the Dinagyang tribes to the President, the mayor stressed.
“Indi da sia gusto mamati sang speech ni Joe III. Kay karun magpa-impress pa ‘ko da, basi malawagan pa ‘ko, kapin pa kon ara kamo (media),” Espinosa told journalists covering city hall.
He also said he does not want his name or face in tarpaulins or streamers welcoming the President.
“I don’t need my name dira or itsura nga naga-welcome sa Presidente…the rest (also) indi na ko gusto may ngalan-ngalan dira. Sa Dinagyang man ‘ni tanan,” said Espinosa.
The mayor also said he had instructed the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation (IDFI), Inc. that the contesting tribes should perform first before the guest performers do so, so as not to prolong the program.
“Kon ara ang Presidente, pakilid sila anay. Tribu gid unahon,” said Espinosa.
Dinagyang 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 the participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival started in 1967 when a replica of the image of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) was brought from Cebu to the San Jose parish.
The image, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums./PN
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