ILOILO CITY is having a big party this weekend with as many as 250,000 domestic and foreign visitors expected to join the 51st Dinagyang Festival.
Department of Tourism-Western Visayas (DoT-6) Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas said that number is their projected “minimum.”
“All in all, we are expecting domestic, foreign same day visitors not lower than 250,000 from January 25-27… I’m sure it will be more, that number is very conservative,” Ms. Catalbas said.
The tourist count, she said, is based on hotel bookings within Iloilo City and surrounding areas, plus estimates from those staying with friends and relatives.
Locals and visitors can get a taste of Ilonggo cuisine at the food festival along Delgado Street where various local establishments are setting up stalls.
“We have 25 participants as of today (Jan. 22), but we are expecting additional participants within the week. We will be providing good food or the best of what Iloilo has to offer and live entertainment,” said Happy Abenir, Iloilo Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association (IHRRA) former president.
Aside from the usual fresh seafood and other signature Ilonggo dishes such as batchoy (noodle soup), Mr. Abenir said the participating establishments will be introducing new twists to local dishes.
“Each of the restaurants are trying to outdo themselves by trying to introduce something new, something that is really Ilonggo. Most of our clients are really Ilonggo, our taste is really for Ilonggos,” she added.
The city’s 2 a.m. mandatory closing time for all resto-bars, discos, and other similar establishments has also been suspended this weekend.
For the festival’s main event, the Dagyang Ati Tribes Competition, participating groups this year will be showcasing dance routines that depict specific Ilonggo cultural practices.
Annie D. Sartorio, head of the competition’s judging and tabulation committee, said the rules were designed this year to ensure that the choreographies will not veer away from the Ilonggo culture.
“We gave them Ilonggo cultural practices wherein they can base their choreography because last year, some of the performances were based on international festivals like Rio in Brazil,” Ms. Sartorio said.
The suggested cultural practices are: pangabi-abi (festive welcome), paghigugma (courtship), pagtipon (gathering), bayluhay (barter), pagintinihanay (understanding), paghirupay (closeness), hinampang (play), pagpahangud (rites of passage), pagtuo (faith), pag-amliganay (nurturing), pagunungay (unity), and pagtaud (link).
In September 2018, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) organized the first loilo Dinagyang Rhythm and Vibes Conference to deepen understanding and appreciation of local culture in preparation for this year’s festival.
IDFI said the conference — which involved lectures and workshops on local music, choreography, costume and props, design, visual production, and resource management — was a step in maintaining the role of Dinagyang in safeguarding cultural heritage. — Emme Rose Santiagudo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR