Step into the beating heart of Iloilo’s cultural dynamism with the electrifying Dinagyang Festival! This annual extravaganza transforms the streets into a kaleidoscope of colors and rhythms, drawing visitors from far and wide to partake in its infectious energy. From the iconic Ati-Atihan Parade, where dancers clad in vibrant costumes weave through the city, to the mouthwatering delights of the Food Festival, Dinagyang offers a sensory feast for all.

Picture yourself immersed in the beats of the Drum and Lyre Competition, exploring the night market’s lively ambiance, and joining the jubilant street parties that pulse well into the night. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a foodie, or simply in search of an unforgettable celebration, Dinagyang beckons you to experience Iloilo at its most exuberant and captivating.

The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo is a vibrant and lively celebration that attracts both locals and tourists. Here are ten exciting things to do during the Dinagyang Festival:

Remember to plan your visit ahead of time, considering the schedule of events and the best vantage points for the parades. Embrace the energy and spirit of Dinagyang, and don’t forget to interact with the friendly locals to truly immerse yourself in the festival experience.

This pandemic period has opened the doors to the digital version of the local events and festivities and this year’s Dinagyang Festival celebration is no exception. The Digital Dinagyang was inaugurated last year, and with its success, it has seen to be more interactive with the fans and audience for this year’s celebration. One of which is the Dagyang sa Social Media contest with the use of the Tiktok platform.

Quoting from the news article, “Spectators of the Dinagyang Festival are encouraged to join the “Dagyang sa Social Media” contest by storming Tiktok with their dance movements.

This as people could not invade the streets here with merry-making moves or “dagyang” due to restrictions imposed by the local government amid the pandemic.

“This is the first time that we are using the platform to do the ‘dagyang’. That is why it is titled ‘Dagyang sa Social Media’,” said Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), in an interview Thursday. IFFI manages the 2022 Dinagyang Festival.
The dance challenge is open to individuals with TikTok accounts.

It has two categories: First is the “padayon” where the performer or performers will be using the official music of the festival and follow a specific routine; the second is the freestyle where they can have their own dance steps still using the festival’s official music.

“This is just 15 seconds, and the music is the chorus part of the ‘Hala-Bira’. They can shoot anywhere because we have not specified a location,” Clavecillas added.

Those joining have to upload their videos using hashtags #PadayonIloiloDinagyang #Iloilo Dinagyang2022 #Dinagyang Digital2022 #PadayonIloilo #VivaSeñorSantoNiño #FYP for the “padayon”category.

For the freestyle category they have to use the hashtag #IloiloDinagyang2022 Freestyle #Iloilo Dinagyang2022 #Dinagyang Digital2022 #PadayonIloilo #VivaSeñorSantoNiño #FYP.”

References: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165361

https://fb.watch/awQcCeWVOn/

The prestigious Iloilo Dinagyang will be held this coming January 25-26, 2020 which is just barely two weeks from now. This event is a symbol that cores on the heritage, devotion, and history of Iloilo and the Ilonggos.

Each year, however, features something in these modern times. This year’s list of activities has a lot of varieties and some of them are mostly new. I might try to participate but we shall see with the office schedule.

Check out the Iloilo Dinagyang 2020 activities below.

Source: https://web.facebook.com/Iloilo-Dinagyang-2020-2309637079252976/

Adjusting and booking your travel schedule to a certain place is mostly dependent on its festival dates, and Iloilo City is not an exception. In this part four of my post about the Iloilo City heritage, we cover the popular festivals that the city held every year.

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival – A religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City. Held every rd Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atuhan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival of Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis. Dinagyang began after Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez of a local Roman Catholic parish introduced the devotion to Santo Niño in November 1967. 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 present festival. Dinagyang festival was voted as the best Tourism Event of 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.

Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival – Held every third week of February. Claimed as the oldest traditional craft in Asia, the Paraw Regatta is a race among seaferers on colorful sailboats called Paraws in the Iloilo Strait between Guimaras Island and the city of Iloilo. The present-day paraw managed to maintain its original design from the sailboats of the first settlers from Borneo who were in search of a peaceful home in 1212 A.D. Surviving centuries; the paraws have become a vital part of the Filipino seafaring life. The first race started in 1973 with the mission to preserve the historic value of the paraws. It is held every 3rd weekend of February at Villa Arevalo District in Iloilo City. Today, the event has grown from being a boat race to a festival with various interesting and exotic activities.

Feast of Our Lady of Candles – The biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas. The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patronees, the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria is followed by the Fiesta Queen and her Court. Trade Fairs are held at Jaro Plaza to highlight the celebration.

Iloilo City Charter Day – Showcasing the Iloilo City’s history and culture. Iloilo was already a city even during the Spanish colonial Period. Back in the 19th century. By virtue of the Royal Decree of 1896, Iloilo City was given the coat of arms with inscription: “La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo”in recognition of the people’s loyalty to the Spanish crown. Iloilo (including Jaro) was, however, reverted back to being a municipality sometime in 1901 when the American’s took over the Philippines. In July 16, 1937, Iloilo (Punta) was merged with the towns of jaro, La paz, Arevalo, Molo, and Mandurriao to form present day Iloilo City on July 16, 1937 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 158. The parade and celebration was postponed 40 days later pending the formal inauguration of the City Government of Iloilo on August 25, 1973.

For the first time in the history of this city, Iloilo commemorates its declaration as a Chartered City 73 years ago. The celebration which started last July 16 (the exact date 73 years ago when Iloilo was converted into a chartered city and inaugurated 40 days after) was spearheaded by the new city Mayor, Jed Mabilog through the City Tourism Development Officer (CTDO).

This year’s 40 day celebration includes activities such as thanksgiving mass; exhibit of Ilonggo arts and crafts; civic-military parade; food festival of Ilonggo dishes; Ilonggo music festival; Search for Mr. and Ms. Iloilo City; river clean-up and bloodletting, among others. It will culminate on August 25 in which the date Iloilo City has been inaugurated as a chartered city.

Chinese New Year – Celebrated by the Chinese (of Ilonggo descent) community, the festivity is highlighted by by a cultural parade and cultural presentation of the Chinese schools in the city, Chinese food festival and grad fireworks display.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – Iloilo is one of the religious and cultural centers of prosperous region during the Holy Week, religious customs and traditions are practiced around the province. A variety of events is clustered and is commemorated in various ways in service of worship. Many details varying with the community mark activities such as the presentation of “pasyon” plays dramatizing the passion and death of Christ. Popular Lenten devotions in the city of Iloilo is a procession from the principal church where a certain amount of ceremony is tied up in luxury and splendor with the parade of life-size statues of saints in mourning, winding slowly around the streets.

Some of the sub events lined up during the occasion by the City Tourism Office are the Palapas Making Contest; Sambuwa sang Pasyonista and Photo Exhibit.