Kasadyahan’s major tweak: A boon or a bane?

Hubon Binagtong sang Manggahan performs during the Kasadyahan cultural presentation of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival 2017.
Hubon Binagtong sang Manggahan performs during the Kasadyahan cultural presentation of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival 2017.

ILOILO City – Will the famed Dinagyang Festival be the same minus one of its major attractions, the Kasadyahan Festival?

From being a staple of the annual Dinagyang, the Kasadyahan – a showcase of various festivals in Western Visayas – will be spun off into an event of its own.

This after the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) decided that the event should be distinct from Dinagyang. It must have its own identity.

Kasadyahan started as out as mardi gras with participation from city schools, universities and private organizations a few years after the birth of Dinagyang. This regional event is staged a day before the main highlight of the Dinagyang ati-ati tribes contest.

The splitting of these two premier cultural celebrations earned various reactions.

Panay News delved deeper; hear out sentiments of those who will be impacted by this major tweak.

“It should not be a problem. There’s a proposal to stage the Kasadyahan every September, the National Tourism Month. – Department of Tourism regional director Helen Catalbas

“It is okay if wala Kasadyahan this year. We are very eager to join the cultural contest even if it will be placed on lean months.”  – Mayor Francis Amboy of Maasin, Iloilo.

Daw indi ako pabor, it was a sudden decision. Tanan nga choreographer daw unprepared man, wala gid nila na anticipate nga halinon ang Kasadyahan gulpi.”  – Steven Jacosalem, choreographer of Maasin’s Tultugan Festival.

“Advantage ini para sa amon kay right after sang Dinagyang, we are preparing for our Salakayan Festival. This will give us ample time to prepare.”  – Anthony Selorio, municipal tourism officer of Miag-ao, Iloilo.

Sa una palang nga plano nga e-separate ang Kasadyahan sa Dinagyang, daw indi gid ako favor kay ang Kasadyahan is another highlight sang Dinagyang. Naga spent millions of pesos ang kada banwa nga naga join not just to compete but also to expose sa iban nga lugar. Kung sa August nila ibutang, I don’t know kung mabalik pa na diri ang mga turista para mag lantaw sang Kasadyahan.” – Romel Flogen, choreographer of Tribu Guimarasnon of the island province of Guimaras./PN

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