ILOILO City – The bigger, the better. Competing contingents in the Dinagyang Festival 2026 Ati tribes competition will face no size limits on props during actual performances, clearing the way for larger, more elaborate, and more visually striking presentations.
Festival artistic director Prof. Eric Divinagracia clarified that the much-discussed 10 feet by 10 feet by 12 feet prop measurement applies only to the transport of props through entry points such as West Visayas State University and the Iloilo Sports Complex, and not to the performances themselves.
“Such measurements are only intended to make sure that the props can safely pass through the gates of the university and sports complex. This is for ease of transport and to avoid any danger while moving the props to the judging areas,” Divinagracia said.
Once inside the judging areas, he stressed, tribes are free to expand their props without restriction.
“During the actual performance, the tribes may extend their props as much as they want. There is no size limitation anymore once they are performing,” he said.
The Dinagyang Festival is Iloilo City’s premier cultural and religious celebration held every January in honor of Señor Santo Niño, the Holy Child Jesus. It traces its roots to 1967, when San Jose Parish introduced a devotional celebration inspired by Aklan’s Ati-atihan Festival.
In 1977, the Iloilo City Government formally institutionalized Dinagyang, evolving it into a highly choreographed cultural spectacle blending religious devotion, indigenous history, and contemporary performance art.
Over the years, the Dinagyang Ati tribes competition gained national and international recognition for its precision-driven choreography and grand-scale productions, earning a reputation as one of the most technically demanding festivals in the country.
Divinagracia said there is also no cap on the number of props each tribe may use, although performers are advised to consider practicality and performance flow.
“But of course this is still for the convenience of the performers and the smooth flow of the performance,” he added.
He further announced changes in the composition of competing contingents, with tribes now allowed to field 120 to 150 dancers, up from the previous 90 to 120, along with an increased number of drummers.
“Because of this, audiences can expect performances that are bigger, more dynamic, and more grand,” Divinagracia said.
In the 2024 edition of Dinagyang, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) strictly enforced props measurement rules at the Ati tribes competition, resulting in crowd favorite and multi-year champion Tribu Silak of Iloilo City National High School missing out on major awards due to oversized props.
Tribu Silak received three technical and special awards — Best in Choreography, Best in Performance, and People’s Choice Award — fueling public expectations that it would be declared champion.
That year, size limits for moving props were capped at 12 feet in height and 10 feet in depth. Tribu Silak’s crow-shaped prop exceeded the limit by more than three feet, resulting in point deductions, with each judge docking 10 points from the tribe’s total score.
Divinagracia said the IFFI is fully prepared for Dinagyang 2026, set on January 24 and 25.
“We are confident that this year’s Dinagyang will showcase even more powerful and spectacular presentations from all the tribes,” he said./PN
