Dinagyang Festival return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics. 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.” ~Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City

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 Jardeleza, Jr. 

According to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Dinagyang's return to the city's streets exceeded expectations, drawing thousands of visitors from both within and outside the country to participate in a variety of festival activities.

He called the festival's return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus disease pandemic a “complete success.”

The impressive choreography and striking costumes of Dinagyang Festival participants, which demonstrate the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and artistry of Ilonggo, are widely known.

Treas thanked the participating tribes, corporate sponsors, and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), a major co-presenter of Dinagyang 2023, among others.

SM City Iloilo was the festival's most important sponsor; It also hosted a lot of Dinagyang events, like the first Dinagyang Ilomination on January 21, the Batchoy Festival, an exhibit of festival costumes, and a concert by Asia's Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

First Lady Liza Marcos, YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap, former senator Franklin Drilon, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, among others, were among the celebrities who visited.

The Hiligaynon word for merrymaking or revelry is dinagyang. The festival is Iloilo City's version of the Ati-atihan celebrations, which are celebrated all over the country, not just on Panay Island.

Two of the festival's numerous foreign dignitaries were ecstatic.