100 DAYS TO GO: Iloilo City illuminates ‘Pasasalamat’ spirit in Dinagyang Festival 2023

This year, Ilonggos will again see vibrant colors, hear lively drumbeats, and feel the excitement and the festive vibe across the metro, as Iloilo City illuminates the ‘pasasalamat’ spirit with the official launch of the Dinagyang Festival 2023 at SM City Iloilo.

SM City, being the hub of Ilonggo arts, culture, and lifestyle for years now, has become an integral part of the best tourism event in the country with its varied and trailblazing events that were woven into the very fabric of Ilonggo culture.

SM City is noted for groundbreaking Dinagyang events such as the eyepopping Luces in the Sky fireworks display and the Batchoy Festival which features Iloilo’s well-known delicacy.

Of course, Dinagyang is not complete without food, and SM City’s Food Festival is a must in every list of places and events during the month-long festival in January 2023. The nightly parties featuring the hottest artists and performers in the country has also been a signature event for SM City’s Dinagyang revelry.

BETTER, INNOVATIVE FESTIVAL

IFFI announced improvements and innovations in the celebration of Dinagyang Festival 2023 that will make the return of all street events even brighter.

The organizers introduced a new event dubbed “Dinagyang Ilomination and Floats Parade” which will feature illuminated Dinagyang warriors and a floats parade along the Diversion Road in Iloilo City.

IFFI also said they decided to conduct the launching on October 14 as it was the start of the 100-day countdown before the highlight of the Dinagyang Festival, which is on January 22, 2023.

The organizers are also hoping to surpass the January 2020 tourist arrival in the city recorded by the Department of Tourism (DOT), which was 91,680.

ACTIVITIES

Dinagyang Festival 2023 will begin January 13, 2023 at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand where all the participating barangay tribes will be presented.

It will be followed by Miss Iloilo Coronation Night  on January 18 at Iloilo Convention Center.

A Sto. Niño Fluvial and Solemn Foot Procession will also be conducted on January 20 as the Sto. Niño image will cruise the Iloilo River along Muelle Loney Street, followed by a foot procession going to San Jose Parish Church.

On January 21, different towns and provinces in Western Visayas will showcase their own festivals in a dance competition with the return of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan. The Grand Religious Sadsad will also be conducted on the same day at San Jose Parish Placer.

The new event, Dinagyang Ilomination and Floats Parade, will also be launched during the night along the Diversion Road in Iloilo City.