Iloilo City awards P5M more to Aliwan Champion

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced an additional P5 million reward for Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School after they won the championship trophy, representing the Dinagyang Festival at the Aliwan Fiesta 2024 Street Dance Competition in Pasay City.

Treñas said he has instructed Melanie Tabaculde, the principal of Fort San Pedro National High School, to submit a project proposal letter this week so the reward can be included in the supplemental budget.

This reward is in addition to the PHP 10 million infrastructure project offered by Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Representative James “Jojo” Ang. The project will be included in the 2025 national budget allocation, following the tribe’s victory at the Dinagyang Festival earlier this year.

“I am very proud of the tribe. We still owed them PHP 10 million during the Dinagyang because we promised the champion would get PHP 10 million. And I said we will add another PHP 5 million for their championship in Aliwan,” Treñas said after a courtesy call from the foundation and school officials.

In a separate press conference, Treñas praised the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) for their role in promoting the Dinagyang Festival, tourism, and unity among Ilonggos. He highlighted that Pan-ay “bested the best of all the participating festivals in the Philippines.”

“This is our 8th Aliwan championship. I’m so glad that the Iloilo Festivals Foundation has done so much to work for our festivals, promoting tourism, and promoting unity because we could not have done this if they did not unite,” he stated.

Treñas noted that the achievement was a showcase of unity, with Pan-ay incorporating members of other tribes during the Dinagyang Festival to join their Aliwan contingent.

IFFI Executive Director Joyce Clavecillas said winning the competition has significantly boosted the marketing and publicity of the Dinagyang Festival.