ILOILO City – To ensure the well-being of spectators during the Dinagyang Festival, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has issued health and safety reminders for festival revelers.
Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the IPHO’s Health Service Delivery Division, emphasized the importance of following these guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration of the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and Ati tribes competitions this Saturday and Sunday.
Key reminders include:
* Health Check – Ensure you are in good health before attending the festivities. Take prescribed maintenance medications and, if possible, attend with a companion.
* Avoid Risks – Those experiencing fever, illness, or medical conditions that could be worsened by hot weather or crowded areas are advised to avoid attending in person. They can still enjoy the festival through live coverage on television, radio, or social media.
* Prepare Essentials – Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring an umbrella or hat, water, first aid kit, maintenance medications, a portable fan, and snacks.
* Food Safety – Dine only at establishments with sanitary permits to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
* No Smoking or Vaping – Smoking and vaping are prohibited in public areas, including the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds. Violators will face penalties as per the ordinance.
Dr. Labis also urged the public to familiarize themselves with the locations of medical stations set up by the city and provincial government, in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross.
Emergency hotline numbers should also be kept handy.
For this year’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan being organized by the Iloilo Provincial Government, nine festivals will compete: Banaag Festival of Anilao; Kaing Festival of Leon; Tawili Festival of San Rafael; Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival of Calinog; Tinuom Festival of Cabatuan; Cry of Jelicuon Festival of New Lucena; Tangyan Festival of Igbaras; Haw-as Festival of Dumangas; and Tultugan Festival of Maasin
For the Ati tribes competition, eight tribes are participating: Tribu Parianon of Molo District; Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School; Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School; Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School; Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School; Tribu Pag-asa kang Manduryaw of Mandurriao District; Tribu Hangaway of Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School; and Tribu Molave of Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao.
Dinagyang began after Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez of a local parish introduced the devotion to Santo Niño in November 1967.
In 1968, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the parish of San Jose. The faithful, led by members of Confradia del Santo Niño de Cebu, Iloilo Chapter, worked to give the image a fitting reception, starting at the Iloilo Airport and parading down the streets of Iloilo.
In the beginning, the observance of the feast was confined to the parish. The Confradia patterned the celebration on the Ati-atihan of Ibajay, Aklan, where natives dance in the streets, their bodies covered with soot and ashes, to simulate the Atis dancing to celebrate the sale of Panay. It was these tribal groups who were the prototypes of the present festival./PN
