Iloilo City’s Dinagyang closes with colorful dance parade

SADSAD TA! Dancers sway to the beat of the drums and cry of “Sadsad ta!” (to trip, skip, dance, step nimbly or lightly) during the street dance parade on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, that culminates the weeklong celebration of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival held to honor the Sto. Niño. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival)

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — This city’s famed Dinagyang Festival came to an end on Sunday with thousands of people pouring into the city’s streets to watch the dance parade that marked the end of festivities held in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño, or the Holy Child Jesus, who is revered by Catholics.

The police did not receive reports of any untoward incidents during Sunday’s festivities attended by large throngs of local revelers and tourists, the estimated number of which was still to be determined by the city police office.

At least 4,000 policemen were deployed on the streets of Iloilo and other strategic points to ensure the safety of the public. A gun ban has also been imposed in the city to prevent atrocities during the activities from Jan. 19 to Jan. 29.

Dinagyang Festival, positioned as the focal point of Iloilo City’s cultural calendar, features marquee events, such as the Ati-Ati Tribes competition, Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, Dinagyang ILOmination and Sadsad sa Calle Real.

These events showcased extraordinary choreography and vibrant costumes, highlighting the creativity and cultural heritage of the Ilonggos.

Visitors were also treated to the Dinagyang Festival Costumes Exhibit from Jan. 17 to Jan. 28 and the One Visayas Creative Expo 2024 from Jan. 22 to Jan. 28.

The festival also featured the Iloilo Drumbeats Competition on Jan. 25 and the Viva Music Festival on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28.

The best

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said Dinagyang remained to be the best festival in the Philippines.

“As a three-time best tourism event in the country, it has been known on the national and global stage, making Dinagyang one of the most highly anticipated events for visitors and tourists,” he said.

Dinagyang, an annual celebration commemorating the Feast of the Sto. Niño staged every fourth Sunday of January, has evolved into a cultural extravaganza attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Dinagyang, then called “Ati-Atihan,” started in 1968 when Fr. Sulpicio Enderes, Order of Saint Augustine, with a delegation of the Cofradia de Cebu, brought to Iloilo City a replica of the image of Sto. Niño de Cebu. The image was taken to San Jose Parish Church here, where it is enshrined until now.

In 1977, organizers changed “Ati-Atihan” to “Dinagyang,” from the Hiligaynon word “dagyang,” or merrymaking, to avoid duplicating with the Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, the provincial capital of Aklan.

The Ati-Atihan Festival, also in honor of the Sto. Niño, is held every third Sunday of January like the Sinulog Festival of Cebu.