By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Merrymaking, dancing, and an all-foot parade where moderate drinking is allowed is very much welcome in the first-ever “Dagyang sa Calle Real” on January 25, 2020.
Phillipp Chua, Chairman of the Committee on Dagyang sa Calle Real of the Iloilo Festival Foundations Inc. (IFFI), said the entire Saturday will be dedicated to merrymaking or sadsad through Dagyang sa Calle Real.
“We will start with a 7 a.m. mass in the San Jose De Placer Parish Church in Plaza Libertad. After mass ma-gwa si father and mayor then mabayaw sila sang Sto. Niño to signal the start of Dagyang sa Calle Real,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.
After this, the nine barangay-based tribes – Angola, Aninipay, Molave, Sagasa, Sagrada, Parianon, Kanyao, Hamili, and Panaad – will compete in Dagyang sa Calle Real.
Chua said the barangay tribes will revive the 70s and 80s vibe of merrymaking and sadsad through dance performances in the whole stretch of Calle Real in City Proper from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It will be followed by the Sponsors’ Mardi Gras at 1 p.m. onwards and the ceremonial lighting of selected buildings of Calle Real at 6:15 p.m.
The Religious Sadsad will also be held at the San Jose De Placer Church at exactly 7 p.m.
The whole day foot parade will be capped by a concert at Plaza Libertad from 8:30 pm to 10 p.m.
“Saturday is an all foot parade. We expect a jam-packed crowd of more than 25,000,” Chua said.
For the first time, Chua added that drinking will be allowed provided that no glass or drinking bottles will be brought in the route.
“Since allowed mag-inom, no glass or bottle allowed sa route. This open to the public, everyone is invited, kadto lang kamo as long as you comply with the rules,” he said.
Aside from drinking or glass bottles, the following are also prohibited inside the Dagyang route:
*No motorized vehicle is allowed
*No bicycles allowed in the route
*No floats allowed except for the religious caro (non-motorized)
*No unauthorized drones
*No backpacks, no pointed/bladed objects
*No smoking, vaping, and no lighters
*No littering
Since the public can join in the whole day festivities, Chua said they have prepared with their support groups protocols and measures for any untoward incidents.
“We have factored in several factors with our support group. There will be ground personnel to monitor the events and we have an eye in the sky,” Chua said.
Dr. Ronald Jay Fortuna of the City Health Office (CHO) said they will be six ambulances including ground teams will be on stand-by during Dagyang sa Calle Real to respond to any medical emergency especially concerning drunkards.
“Allowed ang drinking sa route so most likely basi iban matam-an sa ilimnon but prepared man ang anom namon ka strategically located nga ambulances with the ground teams,” he said.
In coordination with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Fortuna added that an emergency medical unit will be installed in the Custom’s House in City Proper District to cater to the patients.
“Ten-bed capacity ini nga mini hospital for patients that need observation and minor treatment. There will also be doctors from the CHO on stand-by,” he said.
He reminded the public who wish to join Dagyang sa Calle Real to drink moderately and stay hydrated during the parade.
Fortuna added that those suffering from asthma, high blood, and other medical conditions should not participate in the said event.
“Enjoy and moderate drinking and stay hydrated. Mas maayo nga may unod ang tiyan or nakakaon kung magjoin ka. Ang tanan nga may medical problems indi lang anay sila magjoin kag ang magagmay nga mabata, likawan naton anay kadala,” he said.
