ILOILO City – Dinagyang Festival 2021 will be “tailor-made” for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The production of the participating tribes’ “pre-filmed” performances will be safe and won’t be a potential “super spreader” of the virus SARS-CoV-2, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Yesterday, Treñas representing the city government led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the “Digital Dinagyang” together with the San Jose Parish represented by Reverend Father Jose Gonzales, and Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) represented by its chairman Rito Carlos “Judgee” Peña and president Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida.
Also joining them was Flor Muralla, Cofradia del Sto. Niño de Cebu-Iloilo Chapter president.
We are pushing with the Dinagyang because of our devotion to Señor Sto. Niño. Let us showcase Iloilo City to the world. Even in the midst of this pandemic, we have One Dinagyang, One Iloilo, halad kay Señor Sto. Niño,” said Treñas.
The seven tribes performing for next year’s digital staging of Dinagyang started their practice mid-November.
Due to the pandemic, the total number of performers is limited to 50, composed of 20 female dancers and 30 male warriors aged between 20 to 50 years old.
The 50 will be divided into two groups of 25 – the first group would represent the three tribes and the second group the four tribes.
According to Treñas, all performers, including choreographers, are now housed in schools.
They are frequently swabbed for possible COVID-19 infection. They are also mandated to practice health protocols like wearing of facemask, social distancing and frequent hand washing.
The IFFI also established a committee on health that will address health-related concerns.
Meanwhile, the city government is allotting P1 million for the festivity.
Digital Dinagyang 2021 will be featuring the indigenous people of Iloilo (the Ati and Panay Bukidnon), too, performances of Ilonggo artists, and even tributes to frontliners battling the coronavirus disease.
The pre-filmed performances would be streamed on social media accessible to spectators all over the world.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking./PN
