IFFI Considers Regulating Profanities in Dinagyang Events

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) is considering implementing rules to regulate the use of profanities during events after an Ilonggo expression was used by a singer at a Dinagyang Festival side event.

IFFI President Allan Tan addressed the issue during a radio interview on January 28, describing the use of profanities in concerts as “degrading.”

“We respect Festive Mall [of] Megaworld. I’m sure they did not intentionally want that kind of performance. For us, we don’t want profanities during concerts because it is degrading. Ilonggos are an honorable people,” Tan said.

He emphasized that the incident serves as a learning opportunity and suggested implementing rules to prevent the use of offensive language in future events.

“Maybe we can come up with something, like rules, that if there was a concert like that, unpleasant words like those would be avoided. Not just concerts, but in any event, we don’t tolerate that kind of language,” he added.

Tan also mentioned that the foundation had suggested to the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Iloilo City to draft a resolution addressing the matter.

The issue arose after Manila-based Cebuano singer Juan Karlos Labajo used the Ilonggo expression “yudipota,” adapted from the Spanish phrase hijo de puta (translated as “son of a bitch”), during a Dinagyang-related concert on January 24.

Labajo replaced the Tagalog equivalent “putang ina” in the lyrics of his 2023 hit song Ere. His use of the expression received mixed reactions online.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas addressed the incident, expressing his concern in statements on January 27 and 28.

“I have received the report, and it was a Pepsi event at Megaworld. We will do something about it,” Treñas said on Monday.

In a now-deleted statement on Tuesday, the mayor urged event organizers to exercise greater care in selecting performers.

“While we value creativity and self-expression, we must also be mindful of the messages we share, especially during important celebrations like Dinagyang Festival,” Treñas stated.

He added, “I ask that the organizers be more circumspect next time in choosing artists that can bring positivity and promote good values in their performances.”

Councilor Alan Zaldivar also commented on the matter, expressing hope during a radio interview on Monday that the issue would be brought before the city council.