ILOILO City – With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
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Youtube star Small Laude with
Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong enjoying a bowl of Batchoy at SM City Iloilo |
A “complete success” was how he
described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years
of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“Everyone wanted a strong
comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto.
Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas.
Dinagyang Festival is known far and
wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that
reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
Treñas congratulated the Iloilo
Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the
participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.
Hala Bira! Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto, TV
Personality Tim Yap and broadcaster Karen Davila at the Dinagyang Exhibit with
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
“I acknowledge all our sponsors
from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of
Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan
nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our
activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,”
said Treñas.
The festival’s top sponsor was SM
City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, including
the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy Festival, festival
costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s
Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.
The festivities were graced by no
less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some
prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez,
Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong
Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small
Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and
philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim
Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
Conversation over Batchoy with Iloilo City Mayor
Jerry Trenas, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, lifestyle columnist and
philanthropist Tessa Prieto, TV personality Tim Yap, veteran broadcaster Karen
Davila, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and renowned Iloilo Chef, Rafael "Tibong"
Jardeleza Jr.
Several dignitaries from foreign
embassies attended the festivities as well: Romanian Ambassador to the
Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache ; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE
Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to
the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat; Royal
Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE
Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw
Szczepankiewicz ; Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the United
States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac;
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word
for revelry or "merrymaking." The festival is Iloilo City’s version
of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but
also in other parts of the country.
Two of the many foreign dignitaries
who graced the festival were full of praises.
(Via Panay News)
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