Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 53rd celebration of Dinagyang Festival still managed to be one of the best editions in the festival’s history using a new platform to show to the online and global community the faith and devotion of Ilonggos to Señor Sto Niño.
“The Dinagyang Digital 2021 is one of the best Dinagyangs in our festival history. Despite the strict health protocols being followed by everyone due to the pandemic, we showed the whole world that Ilonggos are one as we celebrate the biggest feast of the city, the feast of our patron saint, Señor Sto. Niño,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said in his Facebook page on Sunday, January 24, 2021.
Amid the restrictions of the pandemic, organizers of the festival were able to stage a three-hour world-class visual spectacle of canned dance performances of the seven participating tribes depicting the Ilonggos’ rich culture and history as well as its strong devotion to Señor Sto Niño.
The online spectacle started with the Dinagyang religious mass at the San Jose De Placer Church and the highlights of the festival hosted by GMA Artist Rocco Nacino and Ilongga beauty queen and Miss Universe 2020 Rabiya Mateo.
In lieu of the festive street performances, Dinagyang warriors performed in some of the city’s top tourist destinations and landmarks, trendsetting a whole new Dinagyang experience.
Since October last year, organizers of Dinagyang Festival, the Iloilo Festival’s Foundation Incorporated (IFFI) together with Ilonggo Artists Festival Association (IAFA) have been preparing for the online staging of the world-class festival.
To ensure that the health and safety of the Ilonggos will be prioritized, organizers trimmed the number of Dinagyang warriors to 30 which performed on a district-based presentation reflecting the seven districts of Iloilo – Tribu Molo, Tribu Arevalo, Tribu Mandurriao, Tribu City Proper, Tribu La Paz, Tribu Lapuz, and Tribu Jaro.
All of the warriors including the technical crew were also subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) before they were isolated for the practice and taping of the performances.
The festival focused on the theme: “One Dinagyang – One Iloilo – Halad Kay Señor Sto. Niño” where it united the once-competing choreographers of the Dinagyang tribes for the sake of delivering a world-class performance under the new normal. (ERS)
