Dinagyang Festival history
The Dinagyang Festival, the biggest religious and cultural celebration of Iloilo City and one that has reached global popularity is centered on the devotion to the Santo Niño, the Holy Child Jesus.
A short background: It started when the late Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, O.S.A., who was then the priest of San Jose Parish introduced to the Ilonggos the devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu in 1967.
A year later, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to the Queen City of the South by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the Parish of San Jose.
The devotees, led by the members of Confradia del Santo Niño de Cebu - Iloilo Chapter, gave the image a fitting reception starting at the point of arrival, parading down the streets of Iloilo City until it arrived in San Jose Parish. (Source)
This started the fluvial procession and religious sadsad (worship dance) that is being practiced until now on the fourth weekend of January, usually a day or two before the tribes’ competition. The ati-ati competition was incorporated many years later.
As years passed, Iloilo City became more urbanized. The Dinagyang Festival, under the management of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. became bigger and better.
More establishments joined in the celebration by holding their pocket activities such as the food festival, bands, and parties.
Dinagyang Festival enjoyed a Grand Slam in the national Aliwan Festival. It became part of the Philippine Independence Day celebration in the United States, too.
With the theme "Perfect Vision, celebrating the Ilonggo spirit in honor of Senor Santo Nino", the Dinagyang Festival 2020 promises to be more of a participatory event rather than a spectator event based on the activities that the IFFI has planned. Additionally, the winners in the tribe competition will receive bigger prizes compared to last year.
A new event, Dagyang sa Calle Real will replace Kasadyahan which will have its separate festival. IFFI is eyeing to make it a part of the Iloilo City Charter Day celebration every August.
Dagyang sa Calle Real is a street dancing activity that aims to make the festival more of a participatory event rather than a spectator event.
To encourage more Ilonggos to join the religious sadsad, the IFFI made sure that no other main activity will share its schedule.
Apart from sadsad, there will be daily novenas at the San Jose Parish Church.
Dr. Raymond Sebastian, IFFI vice president assured the public that when they drafted the plans, the environment is considered.
Mayor Trenas also assured that this would be a safe Dinagyang 2020. "We have done this for so long already that our police knows. We have force multipliers and we get augmentation from the regional PNP," he said.
Eight schools will participate in the competition. The prizes will be higher than that of the previous year's.
The funding will come from both the IFFI and the Iloilo City Government. The latter will provide an assistance of P25 million which will be released on an installment basis - P15 million before December 2019 and P10 million in January 2020.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas during the oath-taking ceremony for IFFI last September 9, expressed that Dinagyang 2020 will be better than our previous celebrations because of the help of IFFI, the schools, and the public.
"Apart from Dinagyang, IFFI will also handle Kasadyahan, Paraw Regatta, Chinese New Year and other forthcoming festivals," said Atty. Jobert Penaflorida, president of IFFI.
Penaflorida said that while they are a young foundation which can be a challenge, they are doing their best. He also urged the Ilonggos to help.
"We are Dinagyang. We are Iloilo. With the help of our schools, we will make it happen. I have no doubt at all," said Mayor Trenas.
Chairman - Rito Carlos Peña
Vice-Chairman - Felipe Uygongco
President - Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida
Vice President - Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian
Corporate Secretary - Angel de Leon Jr.
Treasurer - Roland Uy
Assistant Treasurer - Ivy Gurrea
Board of Directors: Philipp Chua, Honorato Espinosa, Rogelio Florete Sr., Molly Grande, Jose Marie Layson, John Alexander Que, Allan Ryan Tan, and Luis Tinsay.
For more details, contact Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Ground Floor, Ker Building, Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City
Telephone number (033) 3207581
Email: iloilofestivals@gmail.com
FB: Iloilo Dinagyang 2020
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| Ati warrior. Photo by Glen Jumayao of Around Iloilo |
A short background: It started when the late Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, O.S.A., who was then the priest of San Jose Parish introduced to the Ilonggos the devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu in 1967.
A year later, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to the Queen City of the South by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the Parish of San Jose.
The devotees, led by the members of Confradia del Santo Niño de Cebu - Iloilo Chapter, gave the image a fitting reception starting at the point of arrival, parading down the streets of Iloilo City until it arrived in San Jose Parish. (Source)
This started the fluvial procession and religious sadsad (worship dance) that is being practiced until now on the fourth weekend of January, usually a day or two before the tribes’ competition. The ati-ati competition was incorporated many years later.
As years passed, Iloilo City became more urbanized. The Dinagyang Festival, under the management of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. became bigger and better.
More establishments joined in the celebration by holding their pocket activities such as the food festival, bands, and parties.
Dinagyang Festival enjoyed a Grand Slam in the national Aliwan Festival. It became part of the Philippine Independence Day celebration in the United States, too.
Dinagyang 2020 on a Higher Level
The Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), a newly formed organization, is set to bring the Dinagyang Festival this 2020 to a much higher sphere by honoring its roots.With the theme "Perfect Vision, celebrating the Ilonggo spirit in honor of Senor Santo Nino", the Dinagyang Festival 2020 promises to be more of a participatory event rather than a spectator event based on the activities that the IFFI has planned. Additionally, the winners in the tribe competition will receive bigger prizes compared to last year.
Dinagyang Festival Schedule
- October 10, 2019 - Start of the 100-day countdown
- January 10, 2020 - Opening Salvo
- January 18-25 Iloilo Dinagyang Arts Festival
- January 23-26 Ilonggo Food Festival
- January 23 at 7 p.m. - Miss Iloilo 2020 (previously Miss Dinagyang)
- January 24 at 8 a.m. - Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika
- January 24 at 2 p.m. - Fluvial and Solemn Foot Procession
- January 24 at 6 p.m. - Floats Parade of Lights
- January 24 at 7 p.m. - Fireworks Display
- January 25 at 8 a.m. - Dagyang sa Calle Real
- January 25 at 2 p.m. - Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras
- January 25 at 7 p.m. - Religious Sadsad
- January 26 at 8 a.m. - Dinagyang 360 Degrees
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| Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2020 Schedule. Download PDF here |
A new event, Dagyang sa Calle Real will replace Kasadyahan which will have its separate festival. IFFI is eyeing to make it a part of the Iloilo City Charter Day celebration every August.
Dagyang sa Calle Real is a street dancing activity that aims to make the festival more of a participatory event rather than a spectator event.
To encourage more Ilonggos to join the religious sadsad, the IFFI made sure that no other main activity will share its schedule.
Apart from sadsad, there will be daily novenas at the San Jose Parish Church.
Dr. Raymond Sebastian, IFFI vice president assured the public that when they drafted the plans, the environment is considered.
Mayor Trenas also assured that this would be a safe Dinagyang 2020. "We have done this for so long already that our police knows. We have force multipliers and we get augmentation from the regional PNP," he said.
Dinagyang 360 Degrees and Prizes
The Ati-ati competition, now called Dinagyang 360° will be presented arena-type at the performing areas including the main area, the new Iloilo Freedom Grandstand which now faces the beautiful Iloilo River.Eight schools will participate in the competition. The prizes will be higher than that of the previous year's.
- Champion - P5 million in cash and school projects
- First runner up - P3.5 million in cash and school projects
- Second runner up - P2.25 million in cash and school projects
- All participants - P1 million worth of school projects
The funding will come from both the IFFI and the Iloilo City Government. The latter will provide an assistance of P25 million which will be released on an installment basis - P15 million before December 2019 and P10 million in January 2020.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas during the oath-taking ceremony for IFFI last September 9, expressed that Dinagyang 2020 will be better than our previous celebrations because of the help of IFFI, the schools, and the public.
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| Dinagyang performers during the launching of Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc and Dinagyang 2020 Festival |
Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
IFFI was organized and founded to undertake and oversee the major festivals of Iloilo City and the upliftment of the cultural, social, educational and economic well-being of the Ilonggos."Apart from Dinagyang, IFFI will also handle Kasadyahan, Paraw Regatta, Chinese New Year and other forthcoming festivals," said Atty. Jobert Penaflorida, president of IFFI.
Penaflorida said that while they are a young foundation which can be a challenge, they are doing their best. He also urged the Ilonggos to help.
"We are Dinagyang. We are Iloilo. With the help of our schools, we will make it happen. I have no doubt at all," said Mayor Trenas.
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| Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated (IFFI) |
Officers of IFFI
IFFI is composed of dedicated businessmen and civic leaders. The officers of IFFI are:Chairman - Rito Carlos Peña
Vice-Chairman - Felipe Uygongco
President - Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida
Vice President - Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian
Corporate Secretary - Angel de Leon Jr.
Treasurer - Roland Uy
Assistant Treasurer - Ivy Gurrea
Board of Directors: Philipp Chua, Honorato Espinosa, Rogelio Florete Sr., Molly Grande, Jose Marie Layson, John Alexander Que, Allan Ryan Tan, and Luis Tinsay.
For more details, contact Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Ground Floor, Ker Building, Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City
Telephone number (033) 3207581
Email: iloilofestivals@gmail.com
FB: Iloilo Dinagyang 2020
