There was a suggestion to separate the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition from the Dinagyang Festival.
Kasadyahan is one of the highlights of Iloilo City’s world-famous festival. Held every fourth Saturday of January, the competition is participated in by various festivals in the Western Visayas region.
The suggestion was raised during a consultative meeting organized by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), the new organizer of the Dinagyang Festival.
The meeting was held on July 19. It was attended by stakeholders, including media practitioners and social media influencers.
Someone proposed to replace Kasadyahan with the Dinagyang Ati Dance Competition’s Barangay Category, which has long been dissolved.
There’s also a proposal to hold Kasadyahan every September, the National Tourism Month.
According to Department of Tourism (DOT-6) Director Helen J. Catalbas, she sees no problem with the proposed separation of Kasadyahan from the Dinagyang Festival.
She said the separation would pave the way for the establishment of Kasadyahan’s own identity.
“Kon i-separate sya indi na sya mangin bridesmaid sang Dinagyang, may iya nagid nga identity.”
Catalbas said Kasadyahan has improved through the years.
She assured that they would continue to support Kasadyahan.
“There is nothing that prevents the DOT-6 from holding this. We can hold this in Capiz, or in Kalibo or Bacolod City,” said Catalbas.
The DOT-6 director said the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI), the former organizer of Dinagyang, may handle Kasadyahan.
“Why not? Kasadyahan participants have no complaints whatsoever against the IDFI.”IMT
