"I am Iloilo"

My City, My Pride!

It's the slogan for my beloved city, Iloilo City.

Iloilo is a livable city, it is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area.

Iloilo is known as the "Heart of the Philippines". It is also called the "City of Love".

Iloilo City is located on Panay Island in the Philippines.

Iloilo is known for its historical churches and historical landmarks, but today I'll introduce to you one of the most well-known Festivals in Iloilo City, the Dinagyang Festival.

What is the Dinagyang Festival?

This is Iloilo's biggest festival and one of the most prominent religious and cultural festivities in the Philippines.

Dinagyang is a Hiligaynon word that means “merrymaking.” Dinagyang Festival is one of the religious extravaganzas in the Philippines that celebrates the feast of the Santo Niño and the treaty between the Datus and locals.

How did it start?

It started when an Augustinian priest from Cebu gave a replica image of the Santo Niño as a birthday gift to a fellow Augustinian priest in Iloilo.

And in the year 1969, a competition was organized similar to the popular Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo town in Aklan province.

The most noted part in the executions of the participating tribes was their folkloric stories and tales in Panay.

When it was celebrated?

The Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January. The festival’s major events include the fluvial procession, religious sadsad, and the Ati tribes’ dance competition.

This celebration to honor Santo Nino is a three-day affair that is scheduled for January as mentioned above.

How it was celebrated?

The festival is actually a 3 separate event and usually and consistently being held on the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month of January. And apart from the 3 main event day, the festival holds an opening salvo during the early weeks of January.

When the opening salvo was about to begin, some routes were closed to ensure the safety of the people who want to witness the spectacular festival. You will have a long road to walk throughout this event. A portion of the Iloilo district will be closed during this time.

For sure you'll be needing extra t-shirts, bottles of water, an umbrella, money, and of course! your camera to capture everything.

But be attentive to your belongings, for sure there'll be a lot of people attending this event too.

There are a lot of activities to enjoy during this event. You can find a lot of food stalls and tattoo booths offering henna tattoos, for you to feel more the spirit and the mood of the Dinagyang Festival. Ilonggo original crafts are also displayed within the vicinity. Despite the long tiring walks, you'll surely enjoy every glimpse in the location.

Festival Highlights

The most anticipated day and the most awaited event of the Dinagyang Festival is Dinagyang Tribes’ Competition.

The competing tribes include the warriors, the dancers with all smeared and painted body with dark brown body-paint. They dance to the fast-tracked beat of the drums and other live instruments.

This features the school-based participants to compete with each tribe. The event usually starts at 3 pm at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

Actually, my partner used to be a drummer before of 'Tribu Salognon' or 'taga Jaro', during his high school.

Each competing tribes has its own story highlights during their performance.

See these images for the performance highlights :

Dagyang sa Calle Real

This street dancing activity aims to reawaken that Dinagyang merrymaking feel.

The participants this time will be barangay-based tribes.

Other than the major highlights that include Dinagyang Tribe Competition and Dinagyang as Calle Real, several activities are also lined up to mark the festivities.

Including the following :

• Hala Bira Dinagyang Arts Festival

• Miss Iloilo Coronation Night

• Iloilo Food Festival at Delgado Street

• Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika,

• Fluvial & Solemn Foot Procession,

• Float Parade of Lights and Fireworks Display

• Dinagyang Festive Parade and Religious Sadsad

This festival is one of the biggest and widely known, not just in the Philippines but also in other countries in the world. You will enjoy every single moment when the thunderous drum beats, heart-pounding chants, and world-class Dinagyang Festival dance performances begin.

Lots of foreign tourists visit and love to witness and observe this kind of spectacle event.

Iloilo is vibrant, living, and definitely worth a stop. So hopefully, when you intend to visit here in the Philippines, consider to visit Iloilo, and I'm sure it'll be a journey that'll be worth your time.

I am a proud Ilongga, and I'm proud of my City! ❤️

Sources:

'several activities': www.pia.gov.ph

All Photos from:

www.pixabay.com & panaynews.net

@eommaZel ✍🏻