National contingents light up Dinagyang ILOmination 2026

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Bursts of color and light marked the Dinagyang ILOmination: Festival of Lights on Jan. 23 as festival contingents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao transformed Iloilo City into a glowing showcase of culture and creativity.

A major highlight of the Dinagyang Festival 2026, the nighttime event drew large crowds along the stretch from Atria to Festive Walk Mall.

Among the participating contingents were the Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro, the Pavvurulun Afi Festival of Tuguegarao City, the Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City, and the Banaag Festival of Anilao, Iloilo.

Each contingent wove elements of flora and fauna into illuminated performances that blended regional identity with creative storytelling.

The Pandang Gitab Festival featured performers clad in white, using glowing accents and fluid, fire-like movements inspired by natural elements to convey cultural pride.

Zamboanga City’s Hermosa Festival infused the parade with Latin-inspired rhythms, enhanced by flowing light patterns and precise choreography reflecting the vibrancy of tropical life.

The Pavvurulun Afi Festival highlighted Ibanag heritage through fire-themed movements symbolizing strength, unity and resilience in honor of St. Hyacinth.

Representing Iloilo province, the Banaag Festival of Anilao transformed the performance area into a radiant garden using nature-inspired props and lighting designs celebrating local flora and fauna.

Homegrown group Tribu Sidlangan of Iloilo City opened the competition with a special presentation that set the tone for the evening.

The program also featured a special performance by the Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe of the Iloilo Cultural Federation Inc.

The competition champion will receive PHP 500,000 in prize money, while the second- and third-place finishers will take home PHP 300,000 and PHP 200,000, respectively.

Illuminated floats from corporate partners complemented the performances, adding to the spectacle of the night parade.