1.5M people flock to Dinagyang Festival

CEBU, Philippines - At a modest estimate, around 1.5 million revelers and tourists are expected in Iloilo City for the annual Dinagyang, Iloilo City's premier festival, the Department of Tourism-Region 6 said.

DOT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that the number was higher than last year's 1.2 million and, by taking into account the visitors who have been in the city throughout the week, it might even reach close to two million.

For Catalbas, the festival is a time for Dinagyang and the Ilonggos, to put their best foot forward by showing to the world what makes Iloilo City stood out among the rest in the country.

The celebration of the 2014 Dinagyang Festival is now dedicated to survivors of typhoon Yolanda, said city tourism officer Ben Jimena, who told The Freeman that it will be a venue to show Iloilo's rich cultural heritage and the Ilonggo's resiliency from the onslaught of calamities.

Dinagyang is a testimony of the Ilonggos faith to the Senyor Sto. Niño, as shown by the participation of festivals from other Yolanda-affected provinces, such as Capiz, Aklan and Antique that joined yesterday's Kasadyahan contest, said Jimena.

Eleven contingents from provinces of Western Visayas have performed in the Kasadyahan cultural showcase:

They were the MassKara of Bacolod City; Saad of Leganes, Iloilo; Manggahan of Guimaras; Tribu Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City, Negros Occidental; Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School in Iloilo City; Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City, Capiz; Hugyaw of St. Therese College, Iloilo City; Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan; Tribu Banigan of Libertad, Antique; Tribu Panublion of the Professional Electronics Institute, Iloilo City; and Busilak Pinta Flores of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Today is the Ati-ati dance competition, deemed the Dinagyang's highlight, featuring 10 competing "tribes," namely the defending champion Panayanon, Angola, Salognon, Paghidaet, Baybayanon, Molave, Atub-atub, Ilonganon, Milagrosa and newcomer Obreros. (FREEMAN)