Faith, Culture, and the Wild: Dinagyang honors Visayas’ rarest

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Every January, the streets of Iloilo come alive with drums, colors, and the jubilant chants of devotees celebrating the Santo Niño. But this year, the Dinagyang Festival has taken its cultural pageantry a step further, blending faith, artistry, and conservation in a spectacular tribute to the Visayas’ rarest wildlife.

Under the theme “Bugay sang Ginoo, Bugay sang mga Ilonggo” (Blessings of God, Blessings of the Ilonggos), the festival not only honors the Holy Child but also celebrates the rich natural heritage of the Visayas region.

On January 25, seven participating tribes bring the region’s endemic species to life through elaborate costumes, energetic dances, and larger-than-life parade performances.

“Our direction is the recognition that we are stewards of God’s creation that is why we will celebrate the flora and fauna of our Visayan heritage,” said Eric Divinagracia, festival director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc.

Tribu Ilonganon — Visayan Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi)

This small, endangered deer stands about 80 cm at the shoulder with a spotted coat, inhabiting remnant forests on Negros, Panay, and possibly Masbate.

Tribu-Salognon — Visayan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori)

A vulnerable spotted wild cat, locally called “maral,” endemic to Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Masbate; it preys on rodents in forests and sugarcane fields but faces severe habitat loss, with 90-95% of its range destroyed.

Tribu Ilayanhon — Visayan Hornbill (Penelopides panini)

This critically endangered bird dwells in Western Visayas rainforests like Cebu, Negros, and Panay, feeding on fruits and insects in canopy groups; deforestation and hunting threaten its survival, last reliably seen decades ago.

Tribu Paghidaet — Philippine Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis philippinensis)

A subspecies of long-tailed macaque unique to the Philippines, including the Visayas islands; arboreal and social, it forages for fruits and insects in forests but suffers from habitat fragmentation and human conflict.

Tribu Pan-ay — Gigantes Limestone Frog (Platymantis insulatus)

Endemic to the Gigante Islands’ limestone forests (northeast of Panay), this small frog thrives in karst habitats, laying eggs on moist rocks; vulnerable due to quarrying and forest loss in its restricted range.

Tribu Taga-Baryo — Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang)

A large monitor lizard restricted to Panay’s forests, growing up to 2 meters with a powerful build for climbing and foraging eggs, birds, and mammals; endangered by collection and deforestation.

Tribu Bulawanon sang Molo — Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons)

A critically endangered wild pig with facial warts, found in Visayas forests like Negros and Panay; a nocturnal grazer threatened by hunting and 95% habitat reduction.

The focus on nature is not entirely new. In 2022, Dinagyang’s opening salvo also featured animals, signaling a growing commitment to environmental consciousness. But this year marks the first time all tribes collectively centered their performances on species native to the Visayas.

As the streets of Iloilo echo with chants of Viva Señor Santo Niño!, this year’s Dinagyang Festival reminds us that protecting the Visayas’ rare wildlife is a celebration worth joining.