Kasadyahan, Dinagyang performances to pause if it rains

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Performances during the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and the Dinagyang Tribes competitions will be paused if rain falls during the Jan. 24–25 highlights of this year’s Dinagyang Festival, following operational adjustments set by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc.

IFFI said performances will resume only after weather conditions improve and the performance area is declared safe for both performers and spectators.

The policy was finalized following observations during the Kasadyahan opening salvo on Jan. 11, when rainfall made the performance area slippery and prompted officials to temporarily halt the program.

“Rain or shine is not possible for performers because of their costumes. When it rains, we will wait for it to stop and then resume. We will find ways to fill the gaps in case we have to wait,” Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said during a Jan. 14 press conference.

As part of contingency measures, IFFI applied cementitious materials on stage floors to reduce slipperiness and will deploy standby personnel to immediately mop and dry performance areas when weather disrupts the program.

Festival marshals will assist in directing spectators and managing crowd movement during performance pauses.

The same pause-and-resume protocol was implemented during the Kasadyahan opening salvo, which concluded on the evening of Jan. 10 after an earlier rain-related stoppage.

Dinagyang, held annually every January in Iloilo City, is one of the country’s major cultural festivals and features choreographed street-dancing competitions honoring the Santo Niño.

This year’s festival includes adjusted performance areas and routes, with events set at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and the corner of Luna and Huervana streets in La Paz district.

The revised routes replace earlier venues, including the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Delgado corner Mabini streets, Quezon corner Ledesma streets, and Iznart Street.