The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is returning to the global stage after seven years, with the aim of impressing an international audience.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced that the prestigious festival has been invited to perform in Osaka, Japan, and Auckland, New Zealand, in June and November.
“We are excited. This opportunity reignites our enthusiasm to once again showcase our pride and joy, the Dinagyang Festival, on an international platform,” Mayor Treñas said in a statement released on Monday, February 3.
“It has always been a symbol of our faith, culture, unity, and creativity, and now more than ever, we are eager to present the best of what we have to offer to a global audience,” he added.
The local government anticipates “more invitations in the coming years with the COVID-19 pandemic behind us,” according to Treñas.
The last time the Dinagyang Festival was showcased abroad was in 2018, when the then-champion Tribu Panayanon performed during the Philippine Independence Day celebration in New York City.
The Dinagyang Festival is a multi-awarded spectacle, having won the title of seven-time and reigning champion of the Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event that gathers various cultural festivals from across the Philippines, held at the Star City Complex in Pasay City.
It also received the Best Festival award at the 2024 Philippine Leaf Awards and was recognized as the Asia-Pacific Folklore Festival of 2024 by the prestigious International Festival and Events Association (IFEA)-Asia at the Asian Festival Awards. It is the only recipient from the Philippines since IFEA’s inception in 1956.
This year, eight tribes competed, including Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Parianon, Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Pag-asa kang Manduryaw, Tribu Hangaway, Tribu Molave, Tribu Salognon, and Tribu Pan-ay.
They captivated local and foreign visitors alike with performances reflecting this year’s Dinagyang theme, “Buhi nga Pagtuo sa Kinabuhi sang mga Ilonggo.”
“Through the years, the Dinagyang Festival has served as a reminder to us Ilonggos that we can withstand the test of time, growing stronger and prouder with each passing year,” Trenas stated.
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) congratulated and commended Treñas, who served as its National Adviser, for successfully staging the Dinagyang Festival.
Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and showcasing cities’ unique history and traditions, the LCP, through its representatives, joined the City of Love and UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy in celebrating Dinagyang Festival 2025.
They were welcomed with colorful parades and rich cultural displays, including food exhibits, in Iloilo City during the festivities.
Dinagyang is a religious event celebrated on the fourth Sunday of January to honor Sto. Niño, the Child Jesus.
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