The 52nd edition of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival will be “more experiential”, according to Salvador “Dong” Sarabia, one of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ executive assistants.

“It will be more experiential next year. There will be a twist, more people involvement. Indi pareho sang una nga gabantay ka lang. I-push ta gid ya nga experiential Dinagyang,” said Sarabia on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Sarabia, who is also the director of Iloilo City’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions (MICE) Center, revealed that the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition or Fiesta Pilipinas will no longer be part of Dinagyang.

“Wala na kita Kasadyahan sa Dinagyang next year. I-move na sya sa iban nga bulan, pero wala pa kita ka decide kon ano nga bulan,” he said.

Kasadyahan is held every fourth Saturday of January. It is participated in by various festivals in the Western Visayas region.

The separation of Kasadyahan from Dinagyang was suggested during a consultative meeting organized by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) last month.

IFFI is the the new organizer of the Dinagyang Festival.

Sarabia said Kasadyahan would be replaced with “Sadsad sa Dinagyang” (street dancing).

“Everyone will be invited to join dira pati ang private sectors, especially sponsors. They will form their own tribes,” he said.

“If I am not mistaken halin sa Provincial Capitol to Plaza Libertad. Ma-end sya dayon with a mass or religious event,” Sarabia told reporters.

Sarabia also said that the Ati Tribe Competition, the grand highlight of Dinagyang, will be a “360-degree” performance at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand.

“Indi lang siya sa tubang, libot na siya.We plan to put barges on the river for the guests,” he explained.

There is also a possibility that the number of judging areas will be reduced to three or four from the usual five.

“May posibilidad nga buhinan ang judging area para indi matam-an kapoy ang aton performers,” Sarabia said.

In a message sent to IMT NEWS, IFFI president Jobert Penaflorida said they would soon “unveil the many exciting events in Dinagyang 2020.”

Dinagyang is Iloilo City’s top tourist drawer. Every year, more than a million tourists take part in the celebration of the festival.IMT