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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Where are the Dinagyang Festival 2017 sponsors?
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) is scrambling for sponsorships. The preparations started late, said foundation chairman Ramon Cua-Locsin.
IDFI has little over a month to raise needed funds. The three-day highlights of the festival are on Jan. 20, 21 and 22. The ati-ati tribes competition is on Jan. 22.
Dinagyang Festival 2017 was launched just this Nov. 16 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the city government, IDFI and the San Jose Parish. In the past, the city’s premier festival was launched as early as September.
“We have a little problem with our sponsors. Naga-double-time kami subong follow-up sang mga sponsorships,” said Locsin.
Some major sponsors in the past agreed to support the festival again but there were others that reduced their budgets “and that is our problem,” said the foundation chairman.
IDFI expects to spend about P22 million for the 2017 edition of Dinagyang.
From its reserve fund, IDFI already shelled out initial subsidies to 10 participating ati-ati tribes – P150,000 each and lately, an additional P100,000 to each.
There were financial subsidies, too, to nine Kasadyahan (mardi gras) participants.
The city government is expected to allot P8 million for the Dinagyang.
“See, Feel, Love” is the festival’s theme. That’s because Dinagyang appeals to all the senses of spectators, explained Locsin.
The 10 ati-ati contest tribes are:
* Tribu Abiador of Asian College of Aeronautics
* Tribu Amihan of Mandurriao National High School
* Tribu Buntatalanit of Tiu Cho Teg Ana Rose Foundation Integrated School
* Tribu Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña National High School
* Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School
* Tribu Obreros of Bo. Obrero National High School
* Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School
* Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School
* Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School, and
* Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School.
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.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog promised a grander 2017 festival and urged Ilonggos to support Dinagyang.
“Dinagyang is the leading tourism, cultural, religious and socio-economic promotional vehicle and symbol of Iloilo City. It reflects city’s continuing progress and sustainable development,” said Mabilog.
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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