Dinagyang organizers vow to make food fest a notch higher

By Jennifer P. Rendon

How does a city known for its gastronomic grandeur hold a food festival?

Of course, “it’s level up,” Jay Treñas, chairman of the Dinagyang 2024’s Food Festival Committee, declared.

For next year’s Dinagyang Festival, the food festival will run from Jan. 25 to 28.

In a press conference, Treñas said the food fest will highlight foods that Iloilo City is known for, especially after recently earning the distinction of being the first city in the country to be designated as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Gastronomy.

“We are working with several organizers so that we could level up the gastronomical experience of our visitors in Dinagyang 2024,” he said.

These organizers include JM Ebo, Iloilo Provincial Government, ABC – City Proper district, Penthouse, Iloilo Hotel Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA), ToLove, Bingo Plus and TND.

Treñas vowed to take “foodies to a whole  new level of food enjoyment different from our previous food festival where all the dishes served are almost the same.”

Foods will be more curated, he added.

Several streets have been added up in the Dinagyang 2024’s food festival venues.

Ten locations have been identified. These include Bonifacio Street (one side only); Muelley Loney (at the back of the Provincial Capitol); Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds; Solis Street; Valeria Street (Atrium side, one side only); Valeria Street (Delgado side, one side only); Delgado Street (Amigo side); Delgado Street (SM Delgado side); Valeria Street (Marymart side); and Iznart Street.

“One thing that we added is that we allocated space for ambulant vendors from Iloilo so that they would have their own space,” he said.

Treñas identified the Esplanade area walkway along Muelle Loney Street for the ambulant vendors.

He said the committee has also prepared for entertainment within the food festival by preparing stages for performers.

“What we assure those who will go to the food festival is that we will showcase all of our Ilonggo food and delicacies. Kung magkadto ka sa food festival, daw naglibot ka sa Iloilo,” Treñas said.

For interested food merchants, Treñas said that registration will run from Dec. 11 to 17 at 10 a.m. at the Mary Mart Center in City Proper.