By John Noel E. Herrera
Eight barangay-based tribes will be competing in next year’s physical comeback of the Dinagyang Festival.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas earlier announced on his Facebook page that Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Parianon, Tribu Panaad, Tribu Familia Sagrada, Tribu Molave, Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kanyao sang Baybayanon, and Tribu Halimau will face off in the “Dinagyang sa Barangay” tribes competition which is the highlight of the festival.
Treñas also emphasized that after two years, the Ilonggos deserve to experience again the vibrant and colorful celebration of culture and faith.
“The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), the city government, participating tribes, and all our private sponsors will make sure that Dinagyang 2023 will institutionalize our title as the best festival in the Philippines,” Treñas added.
Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) also said that they decided to replace the usual school-based tribes competition with barangay-based because of the Department of Education (DepEd) order which temporarily prohibits extra-curricular activities.
“Originally, ang initial plan is to still have the school-based tribes but given some limitations sa school, especially since they have just started with the face-to-face classes and with the current DepEd order, ti ipa-iway anay ang pag-join sang schools and will proceed with the barangay-based tribes competition,” IFFI Executive Director Joyce Clavecillas said.
Aside from the tribes competition, IFFI also introduced a new event dubbed “Dinagyang ILOmination and Floats Parade” wherein illuminated Dinagyang warriors and floats will light up the night and parade along the Diversion Road in Iloilo City.
Seven tribes will also be participating in this new competition; Tribu City Proper, Tribu Jaro, Tribu Lapaz, Tribu Lapuz, Tribu Mandurriao, Tribu Molo, and Tribu Arevalo.
“Dinagyang 2023 will not only rouse the people through Barangay Tribes Competition during the day, but it will also light up the night with the Dinagyang ILOmination Tribes Competition. 7 tribes will represent the 7 districts while lighting up the progressive City of Love,” Treñas said on his Facebook page.
IFFI also explained that the new event is inspired by the Ilonggos’ resilience, hope, and faith in Senior Sto. Niño as “after two years of being in a pandemic, we should remember that Sto. Niño will always be our light amidst the darkness.”
The “ILOmination” will be held on Jan 21, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. along the Diversion Road in Mandurriao district, while the “Dinagyang sa Barangay” tribes competition is slated on Jan 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, in four judging areas starting from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Next year’s face-to-face celebration of the Dinagyang Festival will also highlight the gratefulness of the Ilonggos to Senior Sto. Niño for his protection and guidance, especially when the city was facing challenges because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
