The popular Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo has found its way back to the international stage following an invitation to perform in Japan and New Zealand this year, an official disclosed on Monday, Feb. 3.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Dinagyang Festival will be showcased in Osaka, Japan in June this year and in Auckland, New Zealand in November.
“We are excited. This opportunity reignites our excitement to once again showcase internationally our pride and joy, the Dinagyang Festival,” Treñas said.
“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.
Dinagyang Festival was last showcased abroad in 2018, when then-champion Tribu Panayanon performed during the Philippine Independence Day in New York City.
Dinagyang Festival is a multi-awarded spectacle, being the seven-time and reigning champion of Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event that gathers different cultural festivals of the Philippines held at the Star City Complex in Pasay City.
It also captured the Best Festival in 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.
Treñas said they expect more invitations in the coming years amid the world’s full recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Through the years, the Dinagyang Festival has served as a reminder to us Ilonggos that we can stand the test of time, becoming stronger and prouder with each passing year,” Treñas said.
Meanwhile, Treñas also received commendation from the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and other guests of the festivity for successfully staging the Dinagyang Festival and other guests of the festivity.
The local government unit was also praised abroad for successful conduct of the activity, including Australia-based Filipino nurse Sai Quemodo who described the performances as well-prepared and artistic a great illustration of Iloilo’s history and appreciation for the environment; as well as US-based friend and Iloilo first-timer Johan Dysen who lauded the good choreography.
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