The celebration of Dinagyang, one of the biggest festivals in the country, will push through in January next year, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
But due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Treñas said, the 2021 edition of the festival will be mounted virtually to ensure the public’s safety.
Dinagyang will still be handled by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI). The festival is the city’s top tourist drawer.
IFFI president Jobert Peñaflorida said they have already started preparing for the staging of the 53rd Dinagyang Festival, which will be streamed on different digital platforms.
Unlike its previous editions, there will be no Ati Tribes Competition and other activities that draw large crowds during the Dinagyang Festival 2021.
Peñaflorida said online viewers will be treated to simple but meaningful presentations prepared by Ilonggo artists and the private sector.
IFFI and the city government are expected to provide more details of the upcoming festival on Friday evening, Nov. 13.
The city, which has more than four thousand confirmed cases of COVID-19, is currently under general community quarantine (GCQ).IMT
Photo by Manny Librodo
