Dinagyang Ilomination a must-see visual spectacle

Seven tribes in their colorful lighted costumes will treat Dinagyang spectators in a one-of-a kind “visual spectacle” as they are set to compete in the first ever Dinagyang Ilomination this Saturday night, January 21, 2023.

According to Aldene Lapating Duyag co-chairman of the Dinagyang Floats Parade of Lights, Dinagyang Ilomination will be composed of two events – the Dinagyang Floats Parade of Lights and the tribes competition.

“It will be a combination of two events this evening of January 21. The first one will be the Floats Parade of Lights which started in 2020 and the tribes competition which will feature seven tribes,” he said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.

The Dinagyang Floats Parade of Lights will feature 12 gigantic and colorful floats of the sponsors for the Dinagyang Festival.

Meanwhile, the new event, the Dinagyang Ilomination tribes competition will showcase seven competing tribes representing the seven districts of Iloilo.

Duyag said that the tribes competition is a “modern take” in the usual Dinagyang tribes competition as it will be a visual spectacle with warriors wearing colorful lighted costumes. While the new event boasts a  modern twist in the usual Dinagyang competition, Duyag said that the drumbeats, energetic performance, and cultural aspect of Dinagyang will remain.

“The warriors will be wearing lighted costumes and we will provide additional light effects through our lightings and LED walls so may visual impact gid and highly technical. But, it is still culturally appropriate because the dance steps, narrative, theme, music will be similar with the usual tribes competition, only that, they will be wearing lighted props,” he added.

Dinagyang Ilomination will be a feast to the eyes and will be more evening friendly compared to the usual tribes competition, Duyag said.

The seven competing tribes will perform in the three judging areas in the business district in Mandurriao starting from the Atria to SM City Iloilo and finally at the Megaworld area. The event will start at 6 PM on Saturday. (DG)