Dinagyang marks return to normalcy amid slight rain

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Light rain on the streets did not stop performers and revelers of all sorts from heading to Iloilo City and joining the first in-person Dinagyang Festival 2023 more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents and visitors alike witnessed Ilonggo culture on the streets, with vendors lined up on each end of the festival area that spanned from Forbes Bridge all the way to the Downtown Iloilo City Heritage District. They all offered a variety of goods from trinkets to street foods.

Those who dined found themselves just blocks away, as Delgado, Valeria, and Yulo Streets were transformed into one huge food court hosting small and big food businesses and showcasing Ilonggo culinary prowess – from the local chicken inasal to designer-style burgers.

The spirit of Sto. Niño remained alive the past few weeks, starting with the Opening Salvo on Jan. 13, 2023 which was accompanied by a 9-day novena mass.

On Jan 20, city streets were closed for the fluvial parade and procession, where images of the Señor Sto. Niño were paraded aboard floats traversing from Fort San Pedro to the Freedom Grandstand.

A replica of the Sto. Niño de Cebu housed at the San Jose Parish Placer made its way to the downtown roads accompanied by tribal dancers in their sadsad or signature dance, as well as regular and casual devotees praying for their personal wishes to come true.

Each day of the Dinagyang Festival, from Friday to Sunday, was kicked off with a mass offered to the Child Jesus.

A Grand Religious Sadsad was held on Jan 21, with lights, sounds, and Sto. Niño images of all shapes, sizes, costumes, and colors accompanying the movements of the faithful and dancers.

The festival’s theme, “Pasasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño”, emphasized the Child Jesus’ role in aiding the city through its trials and tribulations during the pandemic.

Saturday morning kicked off with the return of the Kasdyahan sa Kabanwahanan, which was scrapped in 2020.

Here, festivals from other parts of Western Visayas were represented, with the additional flavor of the Sto. Niño incorporated into their dance steps, chants, and messaging.

The only returning tribe in this contest was Saludan Festival of Tigbauan, Iloilo, whose performance depicted the Liberation of Panay during World War II and the town’s local seafood and agricultural industries.

Joining the tilt for the first time were Tribu Jalaud (Calinog, Iloilo), Minuluan Festival (Talisay City, Negros Occidental), Tiringbanay Festival (San Jose de Buenavista, Antique), Haw-as Festival (Dumangas, Iloilo), Burangoy Kite Festival (Sipalay City, Negros Occidental), Madja-as Festival (Culasi, Antique), and the Pasasalamat Festival (La Carlota City, Negros Occidental).

A new addition to the contests this year was the ILOmination Showdown, the first of its kind to be held in Mandurriao district, with a route that spanned from the Donato Pison Avenue in Brgy. San Rafael, to the Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (otherwise known as the Diversion Road), and to Taft North leading to the Iloilo Business Park which sits on the site of the old Iloilo Airport.

In this competition, tribes represented the 7 districts of the city (Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo). They wore costumes that lit up during their dance performances, similar to the traditional Ati tribes competitions but only held at night.

The Ati tribes competition was held on Jan 22, and featured the return of barangay-based tribes, which were last seen in 2005.

The returning tribes included Sagasa (Brgy. Sto. Rosario Duran, City Proper), Molave Kang Salog (Jaro district), Kanyao Sang Baybayanon (Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo district), Parianon (Molo district), Halimau (Brgy. Cubay, Jaro district), Panaad and its offshoot tribe, Sagrada Familia; and the newest tribe, Ilonggohanon, from Blumentritt Street in City Proper.

The night scene also came back to life with events such as the Viva and Love Dance, as well as other activities in various venues in Mandurriao district such as the first Coke Studio in Iloilo at the Iloilo Business Park.

During the evening ILOmination program, Saludan, Minuluan,  Haw-as, and Pasasalamat festival tribes were announced as the Kasadyahan’s Top 4 performers.

Events featured topnotch musicians and DJs such as Ron Poe, Katsy Lee, and the band Mayonnaise which sang the resurgent hit “Jopay”.