Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival 2024, which climaxes on Jan. 27 and 28, continues to offer more exciting events that further fortifies its standing as one of the country’s most-awaited festivities.
For instance, the Dinagyang ILOmination Streetdance Competition and Floats Parade of Lights on Jan. 26 will have seven tribes representing each district of the city such as Tribu Arevalo (Kahirup); Tribu City Proper (Ilonggohanon); Tribu Jaro (Buntag-tala); Tribu La Paz (Sagasa); Tribu La Puz (Sidlangan); Tribu Mandurriao; and Tribu Molo (IAFA).
It will be open to the public because it will now be a street dance competition along the city’s new business district, the Ayala-SM-Megaworld area.
Moreover, the Sadsad sa Calle Real on Jan. 27 is expected to draw up public participation and merrymaking along the downtown area in the city proper starting at 2 p.m.
Dancing warriors of the five tribes namely Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Ibata sa Paghiliugyon, Tribu Molave, Tribu Panaad, and Tribu Parianon are ready to mix it up with spectators who want to experience “sadsad,’’ and relish photo opportunity with them for souvenirs.
Other Dinagyang major events include the Grand Religious Sadsad also on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at San Jose Parish Placer while the highlight on Jan. 28 will start with a 6:00 a.m. concelebrated High Mass at San Jose Parish Placer.
The Dinagyang Food Festival will kick off Jan. 25 to 28, while the fluvial and solemn procession on base feet marches of on Jan. 26; along with the festive Mardi Gras on Jan. 27.
The Miss Iloilo Coronation Night was held last Jan. 13 with Alexie Mae Brooks of Leon, Iloilo winning the Miss Iloilo 2024 crown; while the Iloilo Arts and Music Festival is slated on Jan. 19 to 21, and Motorcade of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu on Jan. 24.
Being a festival full of surprises and world-class performance for the past three years, this has earned Dinagyang recognitions from various award-giving organizations.
Last year, it earned another distinction as grand winner for Best Cultural Festival (City Category) during the prestigious ATOP Pearl Awards for Dinagyang Festival 2022, the comeback of the face-to-face edition under the theme, “Padayon Iloilo! Upod kay Señor Sto. Niño.”
The Dinagyang Digital version also won Best Tourism Practice during the Pandemic in 2021, the only award given by ATOP that year.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2020 edition was also recognized in 2022 as Best Tourism Event (as Contemporary/Non-Traditional Expression Category).
In 2023, Dinagyang Festival earned its seventh crown when it again dominated the “festival of festivals” competition as it was adjudged grand champion in the Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street Dance Competition.