Feature:

Dinagyang on the boom once again!

 By Pepin

Aside from the holiday preparations, the city of Iloilo is busy preparing for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival, which will take place at the last quarter of January next year. Participating tribes are now doubling their effort to create a pleasing and world-class presentation for next year’s edition of the festival.

Cited as the Best Festival in the country, Dinagyang has evolved from a simple religious celebration into a grandiose display of culture. The undemanding routine has been replaced by rapid foot work and exuberant hand movements and facial expressions. 

The theme for the 2012 edition of the festival is "Beyond Awards, a Culture of Excellence"

But the organizers of the event clarify that the religious aspect of the festival will be upheld at all times as the real essence of Dinagyang is always focused at the Holy Child (Senor Sto. Nino). 

All the previous winners of the Dinagyang Ati-ati tribe contest competed at the Aliwan Festival in Manila, and most of them emerged as Champions. Tribu Pan-ay, last year’s winner, went home with the top prize in the Aliwan tribe competition that took place last April.