Pamukaw to kick off Dinagyang season

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

Tribe performances and drumbeats during the Pamukaw will usher in the much-anticipated Dinagyang 2020.

Pamukaw comes from the Hiligaynon word “pukaw”, meaning “to wake up”.

Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) said it will bring back Pamukaw to signal the start of the Dinagyang season.

“IFFI, amidst busy preparations in the upcoming Iloilo Dinagyang 2020, being one of the most anticipated activities of the Festival, will take place on December 14, 2019 at 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. It aims to create awareness and signal the start of Dinagyang season,” Philip Chua, chairman Kiosk and Dagyang sa Calle Real Committee, said.

Barangay-based tribes will participate in the Pamukaw by staging performances in key areas of the city.

Tribu Molave will perform at the Arevalo Plaza; Familia at Mandurriao Plaza; Tribu Parianon at the Molo Plaza; Tribu Kanyao at Jaro Plaza; Tribu Aninipay at Lapaz Plaza; Tribu Hamili & Tribu Sagasa at Plaza Libertad; Tribu Panaad at Sunburst Park; and Tribu Angola at SM City.

Pamukaw, which was previously organized by the Association of Tribes in Iloilo, was scuttled in 2018 due to budget constraints.

“As we bring back Pamukaw, one of our traditions that have contributed a lot in setting the mood of every Ilonggo towards the most-awaited Iloilo Dinagyang 2020, let us all be prepared and excited,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said in his Facebook page.

The same set of tribes will compete in the first “Dagyang sa Calle Real” which will be held a day before the Dinagyang 360 Tribes Competition on Jan 25.

Dagyang will unfold in the Calle Real of City Proper district.

The new activity will bring back the usual merrymaking practice or “Dagyang” where visitors and guests can join barangay tribes in street dancing and merrymaking.

The new organizer of Dinagyang 2020 promised spectators with a levelled-up festival.

The tribe competition of the festival will be staged in 360-degree fashion where tribes will perform in an arena type sequence and judges will be seated in different areas.

The Dinagyang 360 Tribes Competition will be on Jan 26, 2020.

Other new events include the Iloilo Arts Festival 2019 from Jan 18-25; Miss Iloilo on Jan 23, and Ilonggo Food Festival on Jan 23-26.