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Hala Bira, Iloilo!
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: MA. GLAIZA LEE
Date: 2010-01-30
 

Tribu Pan-ay (photo by MA. GLAIZA LEE)

The boisterous and lively beat of the drums could be heard across the metropolis, as if calling the throngs of people, tourists and locals alike, to gather around and witness a festivity like no other.

As the drum beats with its long and short strokes, fast and slow rhythms grew louder as it approached the epicenter of the excitement, a thick fog of anticipation enveloped the atmosphere.

It was further kindled by the vibrant fiesta scenes, characterized by bright and colorful banderitas and several vendors selling multi-colored maskara. Not to mention the delicious aroma of grilled fares that some booths were selling.

Indeed, Dinagyang is a festival of the senses, living up to the expectations of being the premier festival in the country after it was adjudged the “Best Tourism Event” for three consecutive years by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP), instantaneously installing it in the ATOP’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

Considered as one of the biggest religious and cultural festivals down south, Dinagyang is usually held on the fourth Sunday of January (right after the Sinulog of Cebu and Ati-Atihan of Aklan) to honor the Santo Niño and celebrate the arrival of Malay in Panay as well as the subsequent turnover of the island to the new settlers by the aborigine, the Atis.

The festival began when the local parish priest, Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, introduced the devotion to the Child Jesus in 1967. The following year, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the San Jose Parish. The devotees welcomed the image by parading down the streets of Iloilo.

The celebration was patterned after the Ati-Atihan of Ibajay, Aklan, where the natives gather in the streets, with their bodies covered with soot and ashes and prancing away in their traditional dances.

Today, Dinagyang has been the foremost identity of the province of Iloilo. Say Iloilo to an average Pinoy, and the first thing that comes to his mind would be Dinagyang. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas says it best when he exclaims: “Iloilo is Dinagyang, and Dinagyang is Iloilo.”

Despite the debate about the commercialism of the festival, religiosity was still its core as evidenced by the several religious activities such as the nine-day novena held at the San Jose Parish Church and the fluvial parade where devotees carried images of the Child Jesus aboard motorized bancas and paraded them along the river from Fort San Pedro to Customs House.

Unlike in previous years when the activities were contained in just two days, Dinagyang 2010 has become a month-long celebration with various activities lined up since the first week of January such as “Dressing up Dagoy”contest ( Dagoy is the official mascot of Dinagyang), the Miss Dinagyang 2010, the Food Festival, the “Tambor, Trumpa, Martsa Musika” which vied for a Guinness Book of World Records recognition, the fireworks display, and concerts which were sponsored by various companies such as Smart Telecommunications.

Capping the festival were the Kasadyahan and the Ati-ati Tribes competitions, where various festivals from the whole province and different tribes compete against each other for the crown. (Or should we say headdress?)

For the Kasadyahan, the 10 competing festivals included the Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy, Tribu Pandayan of Badiangan, Tribu Kasag of Banate, Tribu Maninipon of Barotac Viejo, Tribu Tinuom of Cabatuan, Tribu Tangyan of Igabaras, Tribu Mandurriaonon of Madurriao, Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena, Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan, and Tribu Pantat of Zarraga.

Ati-ati tribes who vied for the top award were Tribu Himal-us, Tribu Silak, Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Molave, Tribu Panagat, Tribu Angola, Tribu Pag-asa, Tribu Bantu, Tribu Atub-atub, Tribu Pana-ad, Tribu Pan-ay, Tribu Bola-Bola, Tribu Salognon, and Tribu Milagrosa.

Most of the tribes were organized by the local high schools, with some tribes subsidized by the organizers and private organizations and companies. Each group depicted the original Ati tribe. The performers were all painted in black, donning costumes made from indigenous materials, and their bodies covered in soot and ashes. All dances were performed with only the drum beats for accompaniment.

Winning the top spot in the Ati-Ati competition was the Tribu Paghidaet who wowed the judges, as well as the spectators, with their colorful costumes and headdress and their brilliant choreography and synchronized dance movements. Other winners were the Tribu Bola-Bola (1st runner-up), Tribu Pan-ay (2nd runner-up), Tribu Salognon (3rd runner-up), and Tribu Silak (4th runner-up).

More than just the drum beats and parade, Dinagyang is a cultural menagerie showcasing the customs and traditions of the province as well as demonstrating what Iloilo can truly offer.


[ Iloilo City Wiki ]

 

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