DAGYANG TA!: Enjoy Dinagyang, Love Iloilo

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By Maricyn A. De los Santos

Photos by Al Destacamento

When in a new place – observe, feel, and absorb its vibes. This Dinagyang Festival, fall in love with Iloilo by experiencing the happy yet chill energy of the city of love – from the creative expressions seen in the powerful performances of Dinagyang and Kasadyahan tribes, the heart-pumping music that makes you want to dance and just celebrate, the food prepared with love, the friendly people who speak softly even when angry, and the endless talking and storytelling that reflect the community’s core value of love for family, music, food, and yes, feasts!

FOOD & LOVE

Empty your tummy for you to enjoy the dishes unique to this place as featured in various food festival areas. Inasal is given; make sure to enjoy the seafood and slow cooked food from different Iloilo towns – tinuom, linagpang nga manong, adobadong alimusan, pantat, KBL, and the tourist favorite – batchoy and pancit molo. Find out the souring agents, the process of cooking, the spices; the origin stories of dish will make you learn why they are unique. But at the heart of every Ilonggo kitchen is the love for cooking meals for the family.

LOVE THE PLACE

Travel back in time and discover the city’s unique culture that is a source of pride for the Ilonggos. Visit heritage sites such as Spanish churches and houses, art deco buildings, museums and galleries, among other landmarks, to get a glimpse of Iloilo’s past.

Starting at the Capitol area along Bonifacio Drive are the National Museum of the Philippines, Museo Iloilo, Villanueva Building, and Casa Real. Walk downtown and be wowed by a cluster of old structures that witnessed the thriving commerce of Panay’s regional center from art deco buildings, the former Aduana now NHCP Museum of Philippine Maritime History and the nearby NHCP Museum of Philippine Economic History, the San Jose Placer Church and Plaza Libertad, the old houses along Gen. Hughes St., towards the Fort San Pedro area where food stalls are lined and where you can watch the sunset by the bay for free.

The historic Molo and Jaro districts are passages to the political and economic history of the city. Check out the heritage houses and Spanish churches, the restored plazas where community converge, and the food and food houses that are part of the childhood memories of Ilonggos. Mandurriao is the business district that is prominent for its modern design buildings.

WALK, REST, WALK

Dinagyang means walking to savor all the stimuli and for you to use all your senses. The walk along the Iloilo River Esplanade and Sunset Boulevard will make you realize that there is a space in us for not feeling guilty when we slow down – because after all, life is to be lived and enjoyed and not rushed. Enjoy Iloilo City, have an enjoyable Dinagyang!