ILOILO City – Today’s Dinagyang Festival 2020 opening salvo is a sneak peek of the performances of contingents participating in the ati tribes competition on Jan. 26.
The opening salvo starts at 3 p.m.
Eight tribes will showcase three to five minutes of “taste performance” at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, according to Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) president.
There will also be street dancing this afternoon from the grandstand to Solis-Iznart streets, Valeria-Ledesma streets and Ma. Clara Street.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
“The tribes’ sample performances today will also be for blocking purposes in the judging areas,” said Peñaflorida.
The eight tribes are the following:
* Panayanon of Iloilo City National High
School (NHS)
* Barriohanon of Bo. Obrero NHS
* Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña Memorial NHS
* Salognon of Jaro NHS
* Ilonganon of Jalandoni NHS
* Paghidaet of La Paz NHS
* Binhi of Melchor L. Nava NHS
* Hugponganon of Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School
Around six tribes participating in the Dagyang sa Calle Real street dancing event on Jan. 25 will also be joining this afternoon’s opening salvo, said Peñaflorida.
The 11 Miss Iloilo candidates will also make their first public appearance at the opening salvo.
Dinagyang is known for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
It has been voted the “best tourism event” three times in a row – 2006, 2007 and 2008 – by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.
The opening salvo will be capped by a fireworks display at the Freedom Grandstand.
The city government has partnered with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) for the staging of the 51st edition of Dinagyang.
The IFFI bared the following Dinagyang 2020 activities:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 23
* Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika – Jan. 24
* fluvial and solemn foot procession – Jan. 24
* Floats Parade of Lights – Jan. 24
* fireworks display – Jan. 24
* Dagyang sa Calle Real – Jan. 25
* Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras – Jan. 25
* religious sadsad – Jan. 25
* Dinagyang 360° ati-ati contest– Jan. 26./PN
