ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. threw his support behind the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc.’s (IFFI) plan to bring back both the Ati tribes competition and the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan to the Iloilo City Proper for Dinagyang Festival 2027, saying the provincial government has “no issue” with the reset and will continue to back decisions made by festival organizers and the city government.
“No issue. (If) ibalik sa (C)ity (Proper) maayo man. We will always support,” Defensor said.
The provincial contingent cannot split or take a different route, he stressed.
As to the use of the provincial government-run Iloilo Sports Complex as Dinagyang judging area, Defensor acknowledged that it carries both benefits and drawbacks.
While the sports complex can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators, but said the atmosphere is markedly different compared with the City Proper, which hosts the food festival and serves as the city’s commercial center.
“Nami sa sports complex, damo mapapungko. Ugaling lain gid man eh. Kon ako lang ya, this is my personal opinion, lain ang vibe kon ara ikaw sa stadium. Ang stadium is a venue for sports events,” Defensor explained.
He stressed, however, that designating the sports complex as a judging area for this year’s Dinagyang was not a mistake but a matter of weighing trade-offs.
Defensor also thanked the San Jose de Placer Church, the Iloilo City government, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., provincial department heads, and festival committees for what he described as a successful Dinagyang Festival 2026, noting marked improvements in performances across both Kasadyahan and Ati tribes competitions.
“It was a very successful Dinagyang. The festival was elevated. We look forward for more improvements in the coming years,” Defensor said./PN
