‘A COMPLETE SUCCESS’; Face-to-face Dinagyang exceeded expectations

With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face
celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that
Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas.

Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography
and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.
Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang
2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions
in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo.
Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our
activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas.
The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many
Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy
Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including
Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza
Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker
Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar,
Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others.
YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist
and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap
were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor
Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Several dignitaries form foreign embassies attended the festivities as well: Romanian
Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin
Matache ; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife,
Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull
Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas
Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland
Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz ; Embassy of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P.
Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the
United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac;

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or “merrymaking.” The festival is Iloilo
City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but
also in other parts of the country.