A Complete Success: Face-To-Face Dinagyang Festival 2023 Exceeded Expectations
Iloilo City Finally Celebrates the Dinagyang Festival 2023 in Person
Held every year on the 4th Sunday of January, the Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines. The festival is held after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan. It attracts more than a million tourists every year that is why it is regarded as one of the grandest festivals in the Philippines. Furthermore, it is also the most awarded in the country and is known as the Queen of all Philippine festivals.
Facts About the Dinagyang Festival
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for 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 Philippines.
Hala Bira! Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto, TV Personality Tim Yap and broadcaster Karen Davila at the Dinagyang Exhibit with SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ great choreography and colorful and bold costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship, and artistry.
The three major events of the Dinagyang are the Ati Tribe Competition, Dagyang sa Calle Real, and the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang.
Festivities This 2023
The celebration this year is more memorable and special because it is the first time it is again celebrated after a two-year break due to the pandemic. According to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the festivities this 2023 beat expectations, with thousands of tourists attending the different festival activities.
Conversation over Batchoy with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto, TV personality Tim Yap, veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and renowned Iloilo Chef, Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza Jr.
The mayor further stated that the festival was a complete success and that everybody wanted a strong comeback. Understandable because every person attending the festival was excited to be able to celebrate it face-to-face and feel the energy within the crowd and all the music. This year’s celebration also showed that Dinagyang and Sto. Nino are beyond politics, he further stated since personalities from opposite sides of the political arena came to enjoy the festivities.
Batchoy Festival at SM City Iloilo Southpoint for the Dinagyang Festival 2023.
SM City Iloilo brings back the Batchoy Festival for Dinagyang 2023.
Dinagyang Festival 2023 Sponsors
Dinagyang would not have been a success if not for the hard work of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes, and corporate sponsors, among others, according to Mayor Treñas.
Youtube star Small Laude with Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong enjoying a bowl of Batchoy at SM City Iloilo.
He thanked all the sponsors from the private sector for their overwhelming contributions in the festival’s success. “Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas.
Darren Espanto wowed the audience with his song and dance performances.
SM City Iloilo was Dinagyang’s top sponsor and served as the venue for a lot of the activities including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on January 21, Festival costumes exhibit, Batchoy Festival, and a concert of the leading performing artists in the country today, including Darren Espanto.
Distinguished Guests in Iloilo City
L-R: House Speaker Martin Romualdez, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during the Dinagyang Dance Competition at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Present in the celebration was First Lady Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some famous government officials like House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Risa Hontiveros, Bong Revilla, and Francis Tolentino. Former senator Franklin Drilon was also there. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also present. They were warmly welcomed by Mayor Jerry Treñas and president of SM Supermalls, Steven Tan.
The special guests were seen enjoying the Ilomination night at SM City Iloilo with Mayor Jerry Treñas, SM’s SVP for Operations Bien Mateo, Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong, Youtube celebrity Small Laude,veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, former senator Franklin Drilon, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, philanthropist and influencer Tessa Prieto, eventologist Tim Yap, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and Chef Tibong Jardeleza Jr.
Among the dignitaries from foreign embassies who attended the festivities were Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Poland Ambassador to the Philippines 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.
@dhadhagarcia • Batchoy Festival at SM City Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival 2023. This festival is part of the larger annual Dinagyang cultural celebration, making the season extra special. ❤️ #Dinagyang2023 #BatchoyFestival #AweSMIloilo2023 #SMSupermalls #IloiloCity #IlonggoFood #BacolodBlogger #DHAdventures #FYP ♬ Fader – Chris Alan Lee
