‘CANNED DANCES’: Dinagyang 2021 shoot wraps up, online opening salvo set on Jan. 15

The taping of tribes that will perform in the “new normal” celebration of Dinagyang Festival 2021 has officially wrapped up, according to Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI).

The world-renowned festival will do away with the usual festive and extravagant celebration due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In lieu of the usual street dances and live performances, Dinagyang Digital 2021 will go online to discourage mass gatherings and other events that could potentially become super spreaders of COVID-19.

IFFI president Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida said they selected seven tribes that will perform on a district-based canned presentation during the virtual highlights of Dinagyang 2021.

According to Peñaflorida, the number of Dinagyang warriors were also trimmed down to 30 per tribe to ensure that physical distancing and protocols will be followed.

“We are happy to inform you nga natapos na ang shoot sa seven tribes for Dinagyang 2021. We wrapped up today. We promise you a Dinagyang 2020 Digital that we can all be proud of, but we trimmed it down to 30 warriors to ensure that the protocols are in place,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.
To ensure a COVID-free Dinagyang, all Dinagyang warriors, including the technical team of each tribe, were isolated during their practice and were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) where they tested negative.

“Before they were allowed to practice, they underwent RT-PCR test. They were also bubbled during the practice. No outsiders were allowed in their practice area. During their performance, they were also wearing face masks. We ensured that all protocols are being implemented,” Gab Umadhay, Executive Assistant to the City Mayor and co-chair of the steering committee, explained.

After the taping, the Dinagyang warriors will again be subjected to RT-PCR tests before they can be reintegrated to their families, Umadhay said.

Despite the toned-down celebration next year, Prof. Eric Divinagracia, co-chair of the Dinagyang 2021 steering committee, assured that the celebration will still be anchored on 360 degrees performance angle, similar to Dinagyang 2020.

Since all performances were taped, all angles and shots will be viewed 360 degrees, according to

Divinagracia.

“Last year, we introduced Dinagyang 360, sa Dinagyang with limited production elements but more sa saot. And we wanted to pursue that this year, but the pandemic happened. True to the concept, napanumdom namon nga Dinagyang 360 sa gihapon but now virtual and shot in films,” he said.

Divinagracia said the audience will now be able to see the different angles and shots of the performances including the landmarks and tourist spots in the different districts in Iloilo City.
Among the concept of the upcoming celebration is “One Dinagyang” where tribes are united to reflect the unity of the Ilonggos in the pandemic, he added.

“Tribes who used to compete against each other are now united because of the pandemic. This is a testament of how Ilonggos unite during the pandemic. That is one reason why we survived. We all united together despite the pandemic,” he said.

Meanwhile, the virtual opening salvo for Dinagyang Digital 2021 is set on January 15 next year.

Other events include Dinagyang Mural Contest on Jan. 17; Dinagyang Trade Fair on Jan. 18-24; and the Sto. Niño Religious Motorcade on Jan. 22.

A canned Dinagyang sa Calle Real will also be shown on Jan. 23 in all virtual platforms and will feature global Dinagyang performances to be followed by the Virtual Religious Sadsad.

The highlight of the celebration will be on Jan. 24 and will begin with a virtual Dinagyang mass at 7 a.m. and the virtual performances of Dinagyang tribes at 8 to 10 a.m. Awarding ceremonies limited to minor and special awards will follow in the evening. (ERS)