Kasadyahan 2026 champion to receive PHP 1.2 million

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The champion of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan 2026 will receive PHP 1.2 million in cash prizes, the Iloilo provincial government announced during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The first runner-up will receive PHP 700,000, while the second runner-up will take home PHP 500,000.

Nonwinning tribes will each receive PHP 200,000 as consolation prizes.

All cash prizes will be sourced from provincial government funds.

Arthur Defensor Jr. said that while the cash incentives are substantial, the competition’s primary focus remains the celebration of Iloilo’s diverse cultures and traditions.

“Our tourism program follows a barangay- and development-oriented approach, and Kasadyahan is a good platform to implement this,” Defensor said.

He said the festival’s slogan, “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo,” aligns with the province’s tourism executive order and will be supported by concrete initiatives, for which directives have already been issued.

Beyond cash rewards, Defensor said the provincial government is studying the possibility of providing development projects to participating municipalities as additional support.

Eight tribes from different towns are set to compete in Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan 2026 on Jan. 24.

The participating tribes are Jimanban Festival of New Lucena, Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Pagnahi-an Festival of Bingawan, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Kasag Festival of Banate, Tawili Festival of San Rafael and Banaag Festival of Anilao.

Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is one of the major cultural highlights of the Dinagyang Festival, featuring performances rooted in the history, livelihood and identity of participating municipalities across Iloilo.