Three-peat done, Tultugan steps aside to ‘give others a chance’

ILOILO CITY — Maasin’s Tultugan Festival will sit out the 2027 Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan competition of the Dinagyang Festival to give other municipalities in Iloilo province a chance to win the championship, Mayor Francis “Ansing” Amboy said.

In an interview Thursday, Amboy said the municipality decided to take a break after Tultugan secured a grand slam victory.

“We will take a break because we have already won the grand slam. Give others a chance. But we still support the province and the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan,” he said.

He said the Tultugan Festival will still hold its annual celebration in December.

On Tultugan’s return to the competition, Amboy said, “See you after three years.”

The mayor also addressed earlier reports that Maasin was considering joining the Dinagyang Festival Tribes Competition in 2027, saying the municipality failed to confirm its participation within the required time frame.

Maasin also declined an invitation from the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. for Tultugan to perform as a guest during the Dinagyang Festival.

Bamboo heritage

Tultugan celebrates Maasin’s bamboo heritage and thriving bamboo industry.

Its name comes from tultog, a traditional bamboo percussion instrument that early communities used for communication and music.

The festival features synchronized street dancing accompanied by bamboo instruments, with performers wearing costumes and carrying props made from bamboo and other indigenous materials.

Tultugan made history in Kasadyahan after winning three consecutive championships from 2024 to 2026, earning grand slam and Hall of Fame honors.

In its latest victory on Jan. 24, the contingent also won six special awards: Best in Street Dancing, Best Musical Director, Best in Music, Best in Costume Design, Best in Production Design, and the Circularity Creativity Award.

It also received the PHP 1.2 million grand prize from the Iloilo provincial government.

Outside Kasadyahan, Tultugan represented Iloilo at the 2025 Parada ng Kalayaan in Manila, winning the festival performance competition during the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

In 2024, it also placed second in the Aliwan Fiesta street dancing competition.

12 towns in the running

With Maasin sitting out the competition, 12 municipalities will vie for the 2027 Kasadyahan title, up from eight contingents in the 2026 edition.

The participating festivals are Anilao’s Banaag: Halad kay Sta. Rita, Badiangan’s Pandayan Festival, Banate’s Kasag Festival, Barotac Viejo’s Patubas Festival, Bingawan’s Pagnahi-an Festival, Dueñas’ Anihan Festival, Estancia’s Panagat Festival, Leganes’ Saad Festival, Mina’s Maragtas Festival, San Joaquin’s Bayluhay Festival, San Rafael’s Tawili Festival, and Santa Barbara’s Kahilwayan Festival.

The contingents will perform at five judging areas in Iloilo City: the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Quezon-Ledesma streets, Mabini-De Leon streets, and Iznart Street.

The competition returns to these traditional performance areas after the Iloilo Sports Complex served as a major venue in the previous staging.

The return follows concerns over traffic congestion, logistical challenges, security, and spectator accommodation.

Dinagyang tribes lineup

Nine competing tribes will participate in the 2027 Dinagyang Festival Tribes Competition, alongside one non-competing guest tribe from Antique.

The competing tribes are Tribu Bola-Bola of Iloilo National High School, Tribu Silak of Iloilo City National High School, Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School, Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Tribu Taga-Baryo of Barangay Barrio Obrero in Lapuz, Tribu Villahanon of Ramon Avanceña National High School, and Tribu Hugyaw of Iloilo River Plains Integrated School.

Tribu Binirayan of Antique will participate as a non-competing guest tribe.

Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, dubbed the province’s festival of festivals, is one of the major highlights of the Dinagyang Festival, which Iloilo City holds every January in honor of the Santo Niño.

It showcases the cultural heritage, history, livelihood, and traditions of Iloilo’s municipalities.