Kasadyahan 2027 promises ‘bigger, bolder, brighter’ show

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Fresh off the close of the 2026 Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, one of the major highlights of this year’s Dinagyang Festival, organizers are already preparing for a more ambitious edition in 2027.

Kasadyahan program director Alfonso Baldonado said that while the Iloilo provincial government has yet to finalize its post-event assessment, public sentiment toward the program has been overwhelmingly positive.

Baldonado cited Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., who emphasized that the competition should continue expanding in both scale and reach.

“In 2027, we can say that the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan will be bigger, bolder, and brighter, so that we can display more of our towns across Iloilo province,” Baldonado told RMN Iloilo on Monday, Jan. 26.

He said the strong audience reception to this year’s performances is likely to motivate more municipalities to participate in next year’s competition.

“[Gov. Defensor] himself saw that other towns will now be interested to join next year, and when our mayors approach him, they say, ‘Gov, next year we will definitely join,’” Baldonado said.

“They are seeing that there is no bigger stage for them to showcase and introduce their town,” he added.

Baldonado noted that organizers plan to address issues raised during both the main competition and the Opening Salvo on Jan. 10.

For the 2026 edition, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. introduced a new performance route for both the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang Tribes competitions.

Performances were held across three stages, including the corner of Huervana and Luna streets, the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, and the Freedom Grandstand.

These changes replaced several traditional downtown routes, prompting mixed reactions from attendees.

“It is quite normal that when there are changes, there will be resistance, and what is good is that the issues, not the personalities, are being discussed,” Baldonado said.

“For example, we can admit that we may have lapses, maybe because of tiredness, but we appreciate the calls we receive to verify things,” he added.

He emphasized that public feedback is vital to improving future editions of the festival.

“Maybe this is the start of something very good and very bright for the festivities we hold, and we will listen to experts, the public, and the media because we learn from what each brings to the table,” he said.

The Tultugan Festival of Maasin won this year’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan held on Jan. 24, besting eight other festivals from across Iloilo province.

Santa Barbara’s Kahilwayan Festival placed first runner-up and also won several technical and special awards.