Dinagyang festival wins best cultural festival at ATOP

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Dinagyang Festival 2024 brought pride to Iloilo City after being hailed as the grand winner for Best Cultural Festival at the 2025 ATOP Pearl Awards held Thursday, Oct. 2, in Baguio City.

The recognition was conferred by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines during its annual national convention, citing Dinagyang’s rich cultural showcase, strong community participation and world-class execution.

The award was received by IFFI Executive Director Joyce Ann Clavecillas and Mx. Gab Umadhay.

“This recognition is offered in thanksgiving to Señor Santo Niño and dedicated to the Ilonggo people — whose unwavering faith, creativity, and collective spirit continue to make Dinagyang a world-class celebration,” IFFI said in a statement.

Held every fourth Sunday of January, the Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural celebration in honor of the Santo Niño.

Its signature street performances feature choreographed dances and elaborate costumes inspired by the Ati people, the Barter of Panay legend and the Ilonggos’ conversion to Christianity.

Dinagyang has consistently been recognized at the ATOP Pearl Awards, including honors for its innovative virtual editions during the pandemic in 2021.

It was also named Best Cultural Festival (City Category) in 2022, Grand Champion–Best Tourism Event in 2020 and Best Tourism Event in the Philippines from 2006 to 2008.

Beyond the ATOP recognition, Dinagyang also earned international honors this year.

It was named Best Overall Entertainment Program at the Pinnacle Awards Asia 2025 and Best Dynamic Festival–Dancing Festival 2025 at the Festival Awards Asia, both under the International Festivals & Events Association.

These wins marked historic firsts for the Philippines in the two awarding bodies.

The festival also bagged the Asia-Pacific Folklore Festival 2024 award at the Asia Festival Awards in Thailand and was hailed Best Festival in the Visayas at the 2024 Philippine LEAF Awards.

Further cementing its international presence, Dinagyang recently performed in Osaka, Japan, and is set to showcase Iloilo’s culture and devotion in Auckland, New Zealand.