Dinagyang Festival's return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations

With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas. Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry. Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas. The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan. 

Several dignitaries from foreign embassies attended the festivities as well: Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache ;  Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat;  Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster;  Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE 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; 

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or "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 country.

Two of the many foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises.

Amaia joins Dinagyang Festival in Atria Park, Iloilo

The adrenaline went off the charts when top-of-mind affordable real estate developer, Amaia joined the fun-loving Ilonggos in celebrating the famous Dinagyang Festival last month, the most awaited annual event in the province.

Amaia was one of the corporate sponsors when the Dinagyang fest, held from January 26 to 28, 2018, marked its 50th year in Iloilo’s rich cultural history. Amaia likewise grabbed the chance to take part in the Kasadyahan sa Dinagyang and booth event at Atria Park.

Amaia Land officials and representatives trooped to the streets of Iloilo City and readily fell into rhythm with the local folks as they sang and danced in keeping with a rich and vibrant heritage.

The Dinagyang festival is both a religious and cultural festival held on the fourth Sunday of January in honor of their beloved patron, the Sto. Nino, and to commemorate that time in history when the Malays came to their shores and settled in the region.

Affirming the company’s avid support for Philippine tourism, Mr. Sixto Sengson of Amaia Land enthused that the Dinagyang Festival best displays the Ilonggos’ creativity, passion for the arts and history, and most importantly, their warm hospitality towards locals, non-locals, and international guests alike.

“Amaia Land is honored to be part of this joyful celebration of heritage in the beautiful province of Iloilo, which truly has a lot to offer—from its wonderful cuisine to its tourist attractions, and to its warm and welcoming people,” Sengson says. 

Dubbed as the “City of Love,” Iloilo is considered as one of the most livable cities in the country because of its natural topography, efficient transportation and road infrastructure, panoramic views and scenic spots, and its generally pleasant and peaceful surroundings.

For this reason, Amaia encourages Ilonggos to invest in Amaia Scapes Iloilo, Amaia Land’s first economic housing development in the highly urbanized city, which is now regarded as the regional center of Western Visayas.

Amaia Scapes Iloilo offers aspiring homeowners innovatively designed homes that come in bungalow pod, carriage pod, multi pod, single home, town home, and twin pod—all made affordable for hardworking Ilonggos.

Located at Barangay San Jose in San Miguel, Amaia Scapes Iloilo provides access to key retail establishments like malls, hospitals and health facilities, churches, and schools. The city also has a diversion road where automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians can share road use effectively.

Future homeowners can choose from Amaia Land’s easy and flexible payment terms such as cash, deferred payment, and bank financing.

For inquiries about Amaia Scapes Iloilo and other Amaia properties, visit www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook.com/AmaiaLand.