ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is harnessing the opening salvo of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan as a major platform to roll out a renewed tourism direction for the province, calling on Ilonggos and visitors alike to witness the cultural spectacle that will kick off the Dinagyang Festival 2026 celebrations.
“Enjoy our Dinagyang, enjoy our Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan. We will officially start it on Saturday in the opening salvo. Everybody is invited,” Defensor said.
A revised executive order related to tourism development will be released this Wednesday, January 7, ahead of the main Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan competition scheduled on January 26, signaling the province’s intent to align festival activities with long-term tourism goals.
According to the governor, Dinagyang will serve as the main launchpad for the implementation of the provincial government’s tourism framework under “Turista sa Barangay for MorProGRess Iloilo”, which forms part of Iloilo’s 10-year tourism development plan.
“Dinagyang will be the major platform in the implementation of our executive order – Turista sa Barangay for MorProGRess Iloilo (Movement for a Robust, Progressive and Globally competitive and Resilient Province of Iloilo). Ang aton fun, foodie, friendly intervention in the implementation of our 10 year tourism development plan,” Defensor said.
The opening salvo will feature teaser performances from eight competing tribes, each representing their respective municipal festivals and reflecting Iloilo’s tourism brand of being “Fun, Foodie, Friendly.”
The competing tribes are the Jimanban Festival of New Lucena, Tawili Festival of San Rafael, Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Pagnahi-an Festival of Bingawan, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Kasag Festival of Banate, Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, and Banaag Festival of Anilao.
Two-time champion Tultugan Festival is seeking to defend its title and clinch a Hall of Fame award this year.
The opening salvo performances will be staged along major streets of Iloilo City, with key presentation points at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and the Iloilo Sports Complex. Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is widely regarded as the “festival of festivals,” showcasing the culture, customs, and traditions of Iloilo’s towns and cities as part of the Dinagyang celebration./PN
