The Iloilo Dinagyang

Iloilo-Dinagyang-2010Just like most festivals in January, Dinagyang is a thanksgiving for and a celebration in honor of Sr. Santo Nino. But it prides itself as a festival of excellent folk choreography, a showcase of Ilonggo heritage and culture. It is as grand as Iloilo's old churches and mansions. It is as crisp as pinasugbong saging, as delectable as pancit molo and batchoy.

As concord by the triumviri of the Iloilo City Government, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI), and San Jose Parish, this year’s 2010 Dinagyang Festival has its own distinction. This new branding is an indicative achievement declared by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) as the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines for four consecutive years. Thus, the new distinction has been given as “Dinagyang Festival in the Hall of Fame.”

Highlights of the Festival

The religious highlight is the fluvial procession along Iloilo River. The cultural highlights are the Kasadyahan and the Ati-atihan parades and competitions.

The fluvial procession is on a Friday of the Dinagyang week. Devotees carrying assorted images of the Child Jesus ride in motorized bancas from the mouth of the river towards the pier area where the foot parade would start and then back to the church.

Held on a Saturday, Kasadyahan is a cultural parade. The presentation is theatrical and in local color.

The Ati-atihan contest on a Sunday, is a big event. Participated in by at least twenty groups or tribe, the warriors wipe black soot all over their body and dance to the drumbeats.

Primary reason for starting the Dinagyang Festival. The festival was first started to celebrate the feast of the Sto. Nino. From a parish church festivity to honor the Child Jesus, the celebration has evolved to become a religious-cultural activity. It is now a vehicle to promote Iloilo as a tourist and investment destination.

Dinagyang Song. Dinagyang Song tells of how Iloilo got its name, how it was sold by the aborigines to the Borneans led by a Datu Paiburong. It also describes Ilonggos' proud heritage, industry and peaceful existence. It spells out hope and progress through Dinagyang.

Responses Dinagyang has been getting from audiences and media over the years. The performances have awed audiences because of its spectacle - the choreography, costumes and music are very impressive. Especially, the choreography which has been noted by no less than the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The commission has tagged Dinagyang as the "Festival of Excellent Folk Choreography".

Through the years, the festival has gained national prominence and recognition by winning the national street dancing competition. Now, people know that Dinagyang is Iloilo, and Iloilo is Dinagyang!

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Dagoy

dagoy (13K)Dagoy, the six feet nine inches tall three dimension mascot of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival.

He is no longer the black colored mascot once perceived to be the true color of an Aeta Dagoy, a friendly Aeta kid, a miniature of the Dinagyang warrior is now dark brown. City Tourism officer Benito Jimena, also the executive director of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. explains that dark brown is the authentic color of Aetas. By adopting the actual color, the foundation at the same time corrects the notion that natives are black.

The Aetas are believed to be descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines that arrived through land bridges linking the country to the Asian mainland some 30,000 years ago says one theory. The migration may have happened when the Malay Peninsula was then connected with Sumatra and other Sunda islands.

This suggests that the original inhabitants are not black because the Malayans are not. Jimena likewise opines that the new innovation would create a distinct identity for the Dinagyang Festival and not be classified as a copycat of other festivals that use black warriors like the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo and Sinulog of Cebu. Henceforth Dagoy’s skin color will be dark brown. This will be the same color that Dinagyang warriors will use when they perform during the Dinagyang Festival.

Dagoy still wears a fiberglass headdress bearing the picture of Sto. Niño. He is garb with a camel-colored loincloth which is the typical attire of an Aeta. Dagoy is holding a drum made of fiberglass with the logo of the Iloilo City Government printed at the center. His hands and feet are adorned with multi-colored bracelets, similar to these being worn by a Dinagyang warrior. Dagoy was introduced four years ago. His first public appearance was on December 11, 2004 at D Fort in Taguig during the official launching f the festival in Manila. It was followed by several engagements when he officially represents the Dinagyang Festival to various functions.(Perla Lena)

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