Photo by: Manny Librodo
After the success of Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan in Aklan and Cebu’s Sinulog Festival last weekend, another grand festival to watch out for this weekend – Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival. It’s one of the anticipated festivals in the Visayas after Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.
If you are planning to take part of this event this coming weekend, here’s a quick guide for the schedule if activities. Happy Dinagyang!
January 23 (Thursday)
Miss Iloilo 2020
Photo by: Miss Iloilo (FB)
The coronation night of the pageant will be held at 7:00pm at the Cultural Hall of the West Visayas State University.
January 23-26 (Thursday to Sunday)
The Ilonggo Food Festival will be held along Delgado Street as part of the Dinagyang festivities. Uniformed food kiosks made with bamboo will be built for the event.
January 24 (Friday)
The Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika event is a parade and competition among musical marching bands from different schools. It will be held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand at 8:00am.
Photo by: Black Sando
Fluvial Procession and Solemn Foot Procession will begin at 3:00pm, where a boat carrying the images of the Sto. Niño will travel from Fort San Pedro to Muelle Loney Street. It will be followed by a solemn foot procession, which will pass by the Provincial Capitol and then proceed to the San Jose Parish Church.
Photo by: Vin Aranas
Floats Parade of Lights
The glowing parade of elaborately decorated floats will begin at 6:00pm at the Diversion Road/Sen. Benigno Aquino Ave. and end at the Iloilo Business Park.
Fireworks Display
At 9:00pm, after the Floats Parade of Lights, a beautiful fireworks display will happen at the Iloilo Business Park; and at 9:30pm at SM City-Iloilo.
January 25 (Saturday)
Photo by: Manny Librodo
Dagyang sa Calle Real will replace the Kasadyahan competition. It is a religious street dancing activity or ‘sadsad,’ where nine barangay-based tribes will be competing. Dance performances will be done in the whole stretch of Calle Real from 8:00am to 1:00pm.
Ilomination 2020
Calle Real will be showcasing lighting illuminations and concert in celebration of Dinagyang Festival. First for this Year and something to look forward to. Plus with concert on January 25 & 26.
The Dinagyang Festive Parade is a street dance parade participated in by private companies. It will begin at 2:00pm at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Photo by: Jerry Treñas
The Religious Sadsad is a devotion to the Sto. Niño done by chanting and dancing to rhythmic music while holding images of the Sto. Niño. It will be held at 7:00pm at the San Jose Parish Church, across Plaza Libertad.
Photo by: Iloilo Dinagyang 2020
January 26 (Sunday)
On the last day of the Dinagyang Festival, a Holy Mass will be celebrated at the San Jose Parish Church at 6:00am.
Dinagyang 360 Degrees 
Photo by: Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Replacing last year’s Ati-Ati competition, its new name was derived from the arena-type presentation of the competing tribes’ performances, giving the audience a 360-degree view. It will be held from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand following four (4) judging areas starting at 7:00am.
Above is your guide for the Tribe Performances on Sunday January 26. A total of 8 tribes will compete for this year’s Dinagyang 360. Tribu Ilonganon will be the 3rd to perform this year to defend their crown.
Here’s a sneak peak of this year tribe costumes. Who do you think will win for best in Festival costume?
(L-R) Tribu Hugponganon & Tribu Salognon
(L-R) Tribu Baybayanon & Tribu Panayanon
(L-R) Tribu Dagatnon & Tribu Paghidaet 
(L-R) Tribu Ilonganon & Tribu Baryohanon 
Dinagyang Awarding Ceremony
This is the final event of the Dinagyang Festival. It will begin at 7:00pm at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. Aside from an awarding ceremony, there will be performances by Pinoy bands and a spectacular fireworks display.
Chant along with the tribes, spectators and pilgrims – “Hala Bira, Iloilo”, “Viva, Viva Pit Senyor!”, “Viva Senyor Sto. Niño! Stay safe and have fun this weekend and see you in Iloilo!
#LAKAWNIIAN 
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