ILOILO City — Due to space constraints, the La Paz district performance site along Huervana-Luna streets has been officially designated as a non-judging area for the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan competition of Dinagyang Festival 2026 on Saturday, January 24, effectively reducing the number of judging venues to two.
Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Baldonado III, production and program director of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, confirmed on Wednesday, January 21, that the Iloilo provincial government decided to remove Judging Area No. 2 in La Paz from scoring .
“Participating municipal festivals were given the option to use their large props if these can fit, or not use them at all at Judging Area No. 2. What matters is that they deliver color and a strong performance notwithstanding the limited space,” Baldonado explained.
The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), organizer of this year’s Dinagyang, earlier decided to add La Paz as a judging area.
Baldonado said the eight Kasadyahan contingents had already finalized performance props, making last-minute adjustments difficult with only days left before competition day.
He added that all contingents were consulted and agreed to the La Paz site’s non-judging status, assuring the public that the groups will still perform at the venue despite the absence of judges.
With the change, only two judging areas will be used for Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan – the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The eight Kasasdyahan contingents competing this year are:
* Jimanban Festival of New Lucena
* Tawili Festival of San Rafael
* Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao
* Pagnahi-an Festival of Bingawan
* Tultugan Festival of Maasin
* Kasag Festival of Banate
* Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara
* Banaag Festival of Anilao
The champion will receive P1.2 million; P700,000 for the first runner-up; P500,000 for the second runner-up; and P200,000 in consolation prizes for the remaining tribes./PN
