The vivid and flamboyant colors of the costumes worn by participating dancers, the loud throbbing of drums in a four-by-four marching beats and the energetic cheering of HALA BIRA! VIVA SEÑOR STO. NIÑO! VIVA! VIVA! VIVA! are just some of the attractions that constantly flocks tourists to the city of Iloilo every January when it celebrates its Dinagyang Festival.
Aside from its addictively delicious butterscotch brownies, the Dinagyang Festival is another thing that residents of Iloilo boast about. My recent trip to Iloilo last January was my third time to visit the place, but it was my first time to be there in time for the Dinagyang. Contrary to my previous trips to the city of love, my most recent trip to Iloilo was really intended for the Dinagyang. Friends from Iloilo have always told me on how beautiful and exuberant the Dinagyang was so I immediately took the opportunity, without any hesitations, to visit Iloilo last January when my schedule and of course my financial resource have let me.
Since it was my first time to witness the Dinagyang, I made it a point, and as per the instructions of Giselle our beloved editor, to get to know something about the Dinagyang’s background. In my research I came across two accounts on why the Dinagyang is being celebrated by Ilonggos. The first was that the Dinagyang is a commemoration of the transfer of the Sto. Niño image from Aklan to the San Jose church in the city proper of Iloilo. Some looks at this as a replication of Cebu’s Sinulog that similarly celebrates the arrival of the Sto. Niño in Cebu from Spain. On the other hand, the other account says that it is a celebration of the purchase of the Panay Island by the kings of Brunei from the Ati tribes, which were the former inhabitants of the whole Panay Island. Despite the varying explanations on why the Dinagyang is being celebrated, there is only a single way on how the Ilonggos celebrate it. Ilonggos celebrate the dinagyang with a festive dance competition where dancers of competing tribus, body-painted in black, and wear colorful costumes perform in five judging areas that are situated around the city proper. The synchronized choreography of almost a hundred dancers is just a magnificent sight to witness.
Though there may be criticisms that there is no actual historic background behind the Dinagyang, it is still the top Philippine festival that attracts the most tourists.
Before I forget, the title is an invitation in Ilonggo to come and visit Iloilo to witness the thrilling celebration of the Dinagyang. So mark your calendars and put next year’s celebration of the Dinagyang on your must-do lists for 2008. VIVA SEÑOR STO. NIÑO! VIVA! VIVA! VIVA!
