ILOILO City – As the clouds hovered over Muelle Loney, the Dinagyang Festival 2025 once again captivated audiences with a dazzling display of culture, dance, and artistry. The tribes competition at the Freedom Grandstand featured eight contingents, each bringing their unique flair and energy to the stage.
Despite the overcast skies, the tribes’ colorful costumes and synchronized performances dazzled the event, showcasing the heart and soul of Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage.
Among the crowd favorites were Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Tribu Molave of San Rafael, Mandurriao, Tribu Parianon nga naga Silak of Molo District, and Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School.
Mayor Jerry Treñas praised Dinagyang Festival 2025, describing it as a true showcase of Iloilo’s vibrant artistry and competitive spirit.
“All the tribes truly leveled up this year! Their performances were truly world-class! My heartfelt gratitude goes to the choreographers, tribe managers, school principals, tribe members, and everyone who contributed to its success,” he said.
Treñas also thanked the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), led by Chair Judgee Lopez Peña and President Alan Tan, for organizing a world-class celebration.
He announced plans to bring the Dinagyang Festival to Auckland, New Zealand, and Osaka, Japan, through international invitations.
“With these invitations, we will proudly showcase Iloilo City and the Dinagyang Festival to international audiences, promoting our rich culture and artistry,” he added.
Likewise, the mayor expressed his gratitude to all contributors, including the Philippine National Police, augmentation forces, Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO), Public Safety, General Services Office (GSO), City Health Office (CHO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), DICT team, the Red Cross, and the City Mayor’s Office staff, who ensured the event’s success.
The city government’s major corporate partner for this year’s Dinagyang was SM City Iloilo, which served as the main venue of the ILOmination Philippine Light Festival on Jan. 24. The mall became the heartbeat of the Dinagyang festivities as it hosted various exciting events through its AweSM Iloilo campaign.
The Grand Iloilo Food Festival, highlighting the Batchoy Festival held at SM Southpoint, Dinagyang Music and Arts Festival featuring different artists who treated the audience with their explosive performances, and the annual spectacular SM Fireworks Display was a sight to behold for Ilonggos and visitors of the city.
“This year’s Dinagyang Festival has truly reflected the creativity, resilience, faith, and world-class talent of the Ilonggos,” Trenas said.
“Let’s keep the Dinagyang spirit alive and continue to make Iloilo City shine on the global stage.”
In addition, the Dinagyang Festival 2025 once again brought Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage to the forefront, drawing both local and international visitors to witness its grandeur.
Each tribe showcased unique performances that blended storytelling, art, and tradition, reflecting the community’s deep connection to nature, faith, and history.
Tribu Paghidaet from La Paz National High School performed a dance centered around the Tree of Life, symbolizing the profound relationship between humanity and nature, and the belief in the continuous cycle of life.
The dance celebrated the sacred bond that ties the community to nature’s life-giving power.
Tribu Molave from San Rafael, Mandurriao, narrated the struggle of a community tormented by a venomous creature of a thousand legs.
Through their faith and a deep understanding of nature’s balance, they discovered a solution to restore peace and harmony within their ecosystem.
Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School explored a pivotal moment in pre-colonial Ilonggo history, depicting a council of Rajas embracing the teachings of the Santo Niño.
This performance emphasized the resilience and faith that drove societal progress.
Tribu Parianon nga naga Silak told the story of an Ilonggo community under threat from a giant monitor lizard.
Through unity, faith, and pag-amliganay (mutual care), the community found a way to coexist with the creature, symbolizing the strength found in solidarity and harmony.
Tribu Pan-ay, the 2024 Dinagyang Festival champion, once again stole the show with their electrifying performance, intricate choreography, and stunning costumes./PN
