ILOILO – Dinagyang Festival’s impressive performances and colorful costumes in the Dagyang sa Barangay tribes competition and Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan were worthy of the attention and time of guests led by First Lady Mary Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The First Lady watched Dagyang sa Barangay at Judging Area No. 1 (Freedom Grandstand) on Sunday.
Also present were senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Mark Villar, Risa Hontiveros, and Jinggoy Estrada; House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Bataan’s Rep. Geraldine Roman.
Spotted, too, were celebrities Tessa Prieto-Valdez and Tim Yap, and social media influencer Small Laude and.
On Saturday, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go graced the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan.
Several foreign dignitaries were also present.
Defensor said Dinagyang Festival 2023 – organized by the Iloilo City government and Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) – was indeed world-class.
He congratulated Mayor Jerry Treñas and the IFFI for staging Dinagyang face-to-face after over two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“This festival is our reward. I hope kon ano man ang ginpakita nga pagbulig sang tiempo sang pandemic, padayun naton nga himuon ina para sa syudad kag probinsya sang Iloilo,” added Defensor.
The Iloilo provincial capitol joined Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan as a non-competing tribe./PN
