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Hala Bira! Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo Returns with More Events and Activities; Here’s What to Expect
Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival celebrates hope and gratitude!
By: Mira Maestrecampo | January 11, 2023
Other than the Dinagyang Festival highlights on January 22, more events are announced before and after the highlights!
Images: Iloilo Dinagyang Facebook page
The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo is the most anticipated event in the City of Love as Ilonggos kick off the year celebrating the Santo Niño Festival this January. As the festival commences, more events have been announced besides the significant highlights on January 13 to 22.
It is also announced that foreigners and VIP guests are expected to grace the festivities and to come to witness the tribe dance competition to be held at the Freedom Grandstand on the festival’s highlights on January 22. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said that there would be nine diplomats who have already confirmed to join the festivities. These notable people will not just come to celebrate. Still, they are also set to experience one of the best tourism events in the country, with the festival’s much-awaited comeback considered a significant factor in the tourism and economic growth of Iloilo City.
Foreign ambassadors and diplomats joining the Dinagyang Festival will come from countries like Panama, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Romania, the Republic of Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and Norway. [1]
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are also confirmed to join the festival celebrations.
Dinagyang ILOmination: Growth and Hopeful Celebration
Dinagyang is a festival that reflects the cultural aspects of Philippine history.
Image: Iloilo Dinagyang Facebook page
One of the Dinagyang Festival’s main highlights is the Dinagyang ILOmination Tribes Competition on January 21, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Iloilo City’s business district in Mandurriao. Seven tribes will gather for a showdown at the new business district: Arevalo, Jaro, Lapuz, La Paz, Molo, Mandurriao, and the City Proper. The tribes will perform with illuminated props and costumes divided into three performances. The tribes will initially perform at the Atria Park District, then at SM City Iloilo, and the last performance will be at the Iloilo Business Park at Megaworld.
Another highlight of the Dinagyang Festival is the Dinagyang sa Kabarangayan which will be held at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand on January 22, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The competition will be participated by eight barangay tribes: Tribu Familia Sagrada, Tribu Halimau, Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kanyao sang Baybayanon, Tribu Molave, Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Parianon, and Tribu Panaad.
The epitome of Religion and Socio-Cultural Status: Roots of Dinagyang
This grand annual festival in Iloilo showcases impressive dances and striking costumes reflecting the religious and socio-cultural aspects of history as it depicts the life of the people of Panay, the era of Spanish colonization, and the prevalence of Catholicism in the Philippines. The name of the festival, “dinagyang” is the Hiligaynon translation of the word “merrymaking”, which mirrors the festival’s theme of joyful and flamboyant celebrations. You can trace the Dinagyang Festival roots back to how the people celebrate the feast of the infant Jesus and the commemoration of the pact between the locals and the Datus. Dinagyang Festival also remembers the arrival of Malay settlers in the past and the legendary barter of Panay Island from the Ati.
Since the festival will indeed have a significant comeback after almost two years of restrictions during the pandemic, the Dinagyang Festival will have grand events for the Ilonggos before and after the festival highlights. For more events and things to expect during the Queen of Philippine Festivals that will open the year, you can check out this article from Yoorekka here: Dinagyang Festival 2023: 5 Things to Love about Iloilo’s Grandest Festival (Plus Events Schedule).
Hala Bira: Dinagyang Festival’s 2023 Side Events
Watch out for more events other than the festival highlights—from sports to music concerts that will add fun to your Dinagyang festivities.
Image: Iloilo Dinagyang Facebook page
Like what they all say, “Wait, there’s more!”
In honor of thanking the patron saint for this year’s Santo Niño Festival in Iloilo, the festival has a lot of events in store for every Ilonggo and every tourist joining the celebrations. Witness a showcase of sports tournaments, pageant highlights, food bazaars, dance competitions, and more. Better take note of the great highlights and this updated list of more side events and Dinagyang Festival activities happening before and after the main festivities!
● January 7 to 14, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Football Tournament at the CPU Football Field
● January 10 to 22, 10:00 AM to 12:00 MN – Dinagyang Food Fair at the Festive Walk Parade
● January 11 to 17, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Lawn Tennis Tournament at Lapaz Tennis Court
● January 12 to 15, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM – National Volleyball Tournament at the USA Gym, Jaro Gym, YMCA Gym, and Wit Gym
● January 13 to 22 – Pitik 2.0 at the City Streets
● January 13 to 14, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 1st Bundakan Dagyang Unity Ride - Provincial Capitol | Gaisano ICC | Dumangas
● January 13 to 31, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Iloilo Remote Control Club Exhibit at the Festive Walk Annex
● January 13, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Dinagyang Opening Salvo Concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Iloilo Convention Center
● January 13, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Dugong Iloilo: Dinagyang Bloodletting Activity at Kerr Building, Iloilo City Hall
● January 13 – Dinagyang Secrets at Main Mall Event Center, SM City Iloilo
● January 14, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM – “Salamat Musika” with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at Plaza Libertad
● January 14 – Miss Iloilo 2023: Themed Costume Competition at SM City Iloilo
● January 14 to 15, 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM Dinagyang Criterium Race at Iloilo Freedom Grandstand
● January 14, 4:30 AM to 8:00 AM – JPT Dinagyang Half Marathon at Southpoint, SM City Iloilo
● January 14, 2:00 PM – Iloilo Dinagyang Pasasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño Poster Making Contest at SM City Iloilo, Main Mall Event Center
● January 14 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Dinagyang x Kasadyahan Parade of Costumes at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo
● January 14 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Festive Parade of Dinagyang Dolls at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo
● January 15 to 21, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM – Basketball Tournament at USA Gym and Wit Gym
● January 15, 6:00 AM – AweSM Iloilo Dinagyang Dog Walk Pawrade at Southpoint, SM City Iloilo (registration starts at 5:30 AM)
● January 15, 2:00 PM – AweSM Iloilo Dinagyang Furtastic Dog Fashion Show 2023 at the Main Mall Event Center, SM City Iloilo; with celebrity guests Jelai Andres and Buboy Villar
● January 15, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Dinagyang Warriors Parade Competition at Park Square, Festive Walk Parade
● January 15, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Skateboarding Tournament at the Iloilo City Skatepark
● January 15 – Dinagyang Karatedo Championship at the Gaisano ICC
● January 15 to 30, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Dinagyang Village at Robinsons Place Iloilo and Jaro
● January 16 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Ilobex 2023 at Robinsons Place Iloilo and Festive Walk Mall
● January 16, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM – Dinagyang Festival Costumes Exhibit at SM City Iloilo
● January 16 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Dinagyang Market Market | Ilobex 20232 at SM City Iloilo
● January 16 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Dinagyang Mural at Southpoint, SM City Iloilo
● January 16 to 31, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM- Manny Librodo Dinagyang Photo Exhibit on 2nd Floor, Festive Walk Mall Iloilo
● January 16, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Peso Dinagyang Job Fair at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo
● January 17, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Boxing Tournament at Robinsons Place Jaro
● January 17 to 23, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Dinagyang Food And Music Festival at Robinsons Place Iloilo and Jaro
● January 18, 10:00 AM - Tinagan Martial Arts Demo at Robinsons Place Iloilo
● January 18 - Chess Tournament at Robinsons Place Jaro
● January 19, 5:00 PM - Zumba Fitness Fest at Robinsons Place Iloilo
● January 19 to 21 - Badminton Tournament at Sports Hub
● January 19 to 22, 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM - Dinagyang Food Fair | Kapamilya Caravan | Band & Dj's at the Megaworld Concert Grounds
● January 19 to 22 - Iloilo Batchoy Festival at SM City Iloilo Car Park
● January 19 to 22, 10:00 AM To 9:00 PM - Awesm Iloilo Tourism Booth And Photo Booth at SM City Iloilo
● January 19-22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Micro Drone Racing Event at Robinsons Place Jaro
● January 20 - Miss Little & Teen Asia Pacific at Robinsons Place Iloilo
● January 20 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Sadsad Sa Mall at Robinsons Place Iloilo & Jaro
● January 20 to 21, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM - Swimfest at the Iloilo Sports Complex
● January 20 to 21, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Lightshow at Iloilo Business Park - Megaworld
● January 20, 5:30 PM - Hala Bira, Hala Bugsay: "Iloilo Paddlers Club Dinagyang Dragon Boat Fun Ride" at the Iloilo Esplanade River
● January 20, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Ang Probinsyano Basketball Exhibition "Basketball For A Cause" at the University Of San Augustin Gym
● January 20 to 21, 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM - Auto Moto Show X at Gaisano ICC
● January 20 to 21, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Table Tennis at Gaisano Capital Lapaz
● January 20, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Love Dance at the Atria Park District Open Grounds
● January 20 to 22, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Viva Dinagyang Music Festival: Live Life! at Southpoint Carpark SM City Iloilo
● January 20 to 22, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Wild Weekend The Avenue at Smallville Complex
● January 20 to 23, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Cave Superclub at the Cave Superclub City Time Square
● January 21, 9:00 PM - Fireworks Display at Iloilo Business Park - Megaworld
● January 21, 9:00 PM - AweSM Iloilo Drone & Fireworks Display at SM City Iloilo
● January 21 to 22, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - AweSM Iloilo Dinagyang Tech & Creator Fest Cyberzone at SM City Iloilo
● January 21, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Dinagyang Music Festival at the Atria Park District
● January 21 - Celebrity Mall Show Activity Area at Robinsons Iloilo
● January 21, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM – Motorcross at Brgy. San Isidro, Lapaz
● January 21, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - Coke Studio Concert Grounds at Megaworld
● January 21, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM - National Taekwondo Tournament at the University Of San Augustin Gym
● January 22, 1:00 PM - Dinagyang Drumbeats Contest at Southpoint SM City Iloilo
With these updates, announcements, and major events coming up to celebrate the Dinagyang Festival, Ilonggos and tourists can expect the festivities to be bolder, brighter, and livelier than ever. A leveled-up range of activities is set up for everyone’s enjoyment as the country opens the year with hope and gratitude!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more festival updates and exciting activities in Iloilo!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!
Source:
[1] https://bit.ly/3ZsZXj5
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About Mira Maestrecampo
Mira - with a long surname - is a girl who dreams of becoming a news anchor someday, in God's perfect time. She loves to read books and eat different kinds of cheesy or saucy food. A coffee addict and a dog lover, she loves long hugs, hot coffee on an afternoon break with friends, or simply sleeping all day with her stuffed unicorns.
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