A persistent Dinagyang disinformation

By Herbert Vego

AS announced by Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, this year’s celebration of the Dinagyang Festival (Sunday, Jan. 25) heralds the theme “Bugay sang Ginoo, Bugal sang mga Ilonggo” (God’s Grace, Pride of Ilonggos).

And so, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) is maxing out Dinagyang’s “religiosity” through a “unity dance” by the seven participating tribes at the Iloilo Sports Complex in “honor the Santo Niño”.

As in the previous years, however, I would like to reiterate my persistent objection to a historical disinformation cloaked in religion.

Tribal war dances are not of Christian origin.

To quote fellow Ilonggo journalist Nereo Lujan, “Dinagyang is never a reflection of the true Ati culture. In fact, it is the total opposite of the true Ati culture.”

It reminds him of a Zulu tribal dance in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

Never mind if we are voices in the wilderness.  We have the right to question a distortion of history.

Why not strip the festival of religious bigotry and just present it as an entertainment fare?

Another Ilonggo journalist, Tara Yap, wrote that Dinagyang’s storyline is supposed to re-enact the Barter of Panay. It is about the 13^th-century arrival in Panay of 10 Bornean datus who had sailed all the way from Borneo to escape the tyranny of Sultan Makatunaw.

The datus gifted the hospitable native King Marikudo and Queen Maniwangtiwang with a golden saduk and necklace in exchange for the privilege to live in the lowlands of Panay.

Therefore, the depiction of the Ati tribes fighting among themselves falsely depicts them as barbarians.

There is nothing in history to show that they raised the image of the Santo Niño while shouting, “Viva Señor Santo Niño!”

The natives of the 13th century had never heard of Jesus Christ.

It was only on March 16, 2021 when Ferdinand Magellan arrived.

“And that’s the beginning of our Catholic life,” sang the late novelty singer Yoyoy Villame.

As to how Dinagyang evolved from a purely religious activity to a cultural event, it all began in November 1967 when Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, a Roman Catholic parish priest, introduced the devotion to Santo Niño to his parishioners.

He organized the first Iloilo Ati-Atihan patterned after Aklan’s Ati-Atihan in 1969, initially including participants from Kalibo who danced on the streets, their bodies covered with soot and ash.

In 1977 when the country was still under martial law, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the various regions of the Philippines to come up with festivals that could boost tourism.

In response, the Iloilo City government launched a search for a new name to replace the Iloilo Ati-atihan.

The entry submitted by Ilonggo writer/broadcaster Pacifico Sudario, “Dinagyang” – which means “merry-making” – won the search.

Sudario was not a Roman Catholic but a Jehovah’s Witness.

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MORE POWER PRIMED FOR DINAGYANG

MORE Power is ready for the Dinagyang Festival.

The city’s distribution utility has what it takes to keep the city energized 24/7 during the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival this week.

We heard it loud and clear from Engr. Roy Majarucon, MORE Power’s project manager for line construction, when interviewed by Angel Tan in the radio-video program “MORE Power at Your Service”.

“We have done our preparation to clear every possible obstacle that might cause unscheduled power interruption,” he said, adding that they had mobilized two contractors to keep the power lines functional throughout the Dinagyang week.

MORE Power has engaged the services of two teams of contractors.  One team is tasked to test transformers for upgrading or replacement if defective. The other team keeps posted for thermal scanning that would detect and replace loose lines.

They have met with the organizers of the food festival to ensure “zero complaint” in foodfest sites scheduled on Jan. 22 to 25.