ILOILO CITY — The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City is set to officially launch next week with its opening salvo, featuring two of its most anticipated cultural events: the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on January 10 and the Dinagyang Tribes Competition on January 11.
The back-to-back performances will be staged at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and Iloilo Sports Complex, which will also serve as the venues for the final competitions later this month.
The Freedom Grandstand program will start at 1 p.m., followed by the performances at the Iloilo Sports Complex at 3 p.m., marking the ceremonial start of the month-long festival.
Eight municipalities will showcase their unique local festivals in this year’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan: New Lucena with the Jimanban Festival, Santa Barbara with the Kahilwayan Festival, Miag-ao’s Salakayan Festival, Bingawan’s Pagnahi-an Festival, Maasin’s Tultugan Festival, Banate’s Kasag Festival, San Rafael’s Tawili Festival, and Anilao’s Banaag Festival.
Among them, Maasin’s Tultugan Festival stands out as a two-time Kasadyahan champion and national Festival Performance Competition winner during the first Parada ng Kalayaan Festival Performance Competition in Manila for the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration in June 2025.
To support preparations, the provincial government has allocated P2 million to each participating municipality.
Meanwhile, seven tribes will compete in the Dinagyang Tribes Competition, showcasing the vibrant culture, music, and choreography.
These include Tribu Bulawanon sang Molo, Tribu Taga-Baryo, Tribu Pan-ay, Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Ilayanhon, Tribu Salognon, and Tribu Ilonganon.
Both competitions promise to deliver high-energy performances and a showcase of Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage, with Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan’s main competition scheduled on January 24, followed by the Dinagyang Tribes Competition on January 25.
Aside from the opening events, the month-long festival will feature a packed lineup of activities and celebrations.
From January 10 to 25, visitors can enjoy side events and sports activities, while novena masses are scheduled from January 16 to 25.
On January 17, the Miss Iloilo 2026 coronation night will be held at the WVSU Cultural Center.
Food lovers can explore the Dinagyang Food Festival from January 22 to 25 in downtown Iloilo.
On January 23, the Fluvial Procession and Solemn Foot Procession will take place at 1 p.m., followed by the Dinagyang Ilumination Streetdance Competition and the Floats Parade of Lights in SM City Iloilo and Iloilo Business Park in the evening.
The grand festivities continue on January 24 with the Dinagyang Pet Parade along Bonifacio Drive at 6 a.m., the Sponsors’ Mardi Gras at the Freedom Grandstand at 8 a.m., Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan at 1 p.m. (Freedom Grandstand) and 3 p.m. (Sports Complex), and the Grand Religious Sadsad at San Jose Parish at 7 p.m.
The festival culminates on January 25 with a Concelebrated High Mass at the San Jose Parish at 6:00 a.m. and the Dinagyang Tribes Competition at 8:00 a.m. (Freedom Grandstand), and 10 a.m. (Iloilo Sports Complex), the Sadsad sa Calle Real at 3 p.m., and the awarding ceremony at the Iloilo Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
With these opening salvo events, the stage is set for a Dinagyang Festival that celebrates Iloilo’s rich cultural traditions, vibrant local communities, and competitive spirit. (PIA)
