Iloilo City has officially kicked off the 53rd celebration of its Dinagyang Festival, one of the grandest and most anticipated events in the country.
The Pamukaw sa Virtual Opening Salvo was held on January 15 amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The opening ceremony, which featured previous editions of Dinagyang, was attended City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Congresswoman Julienne Baronda, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and officials of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), among others.
It was streamed live via the city government’s official social media sites.
Treñas commended IFFI, the organizer of the festival, for “coming up with an effective plan to celebrate Dinagyang without sacrificing our safety.”
“With that, we can become role models to other cities and provinces for safe festivities. And I would like you to understand that it is only Iloilo City, which is celebrating its festival as of this time,” he said in his message.
IFFI is headed by its president lawyer Jobert Peñaflorida and chairman Judgee Peña.
Majority of the festival activities this year will be held virtually, including the One Dinagyang Digital Presentation on January 24 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
“We may have a totally different celebration today, far from the usual festive and rowdy streets of Iloilo but one thing one thing has remained the same – that is our strong faith in the Lord Almighty,” said Treñas.
“Ini nagapakita gid nga padayon ang aton pagtuo kag debosyon nga mga Ilonggo,” he added.
Other scheduled activities in line with the celebration of the first-ever Dinagyang Digital 2021 are the mural contest along Atria in Mandurriao district on January 17; the Dinagyang Market, Market on January 18; the Dinagyang procession/motorcade of Señor Sto. Niño on January 22; the Digital Dagyang sa Calle Real at 9 a.m. on January 23; and the virtual religious sadsad at 7 p.m. on January 23.IMT
