January 9, 2012

The Best Tourism Event in the Philippines, the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival main events are fast approaching! The drum beats are stronger. The merrymaking is becoming louder. The millions of tourists will arrive in the next few weeks. The street parties will happen again.

Every 3rd Sunday of the first month of the year, Iloilo celebrates its biggest festival. Many want to watch the Ati tribe or Ati warrior competition. Some enjoy the food festivals. Some visit Iloilo because of their friends' invitations. Some want to party in the streets and in the night establishments. Some just want to enjoy and meet new people. Whatever the reason is, what is certain, the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival brings in tourism, economic boost and livelihood to Iloilo City and its people.

For this year, the Iloilo Sports Complex has been added to be one of the areas where people can watch and enjoy the Dinagyang Main Event Competition. The stadium in the Iloilo Sports Complex can accommodate thousands of Ilonggos and tourists. This means more people will have a chance to witness the World Class performances. We are also looking forward to knowing who will represent Iloilo in the national and international events as Dinagyang's grand champion. The grand champ will be given a cash prize of P150,000. There are also runner up prizes, minor awards, special awards and opening salvo awards. Aside from the Dinagyang highlight event on January 22, 2012, we also have the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition on the 21st of January, the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang, the Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika, the Dinagyang Pyrolympics: 2012 Luces in the Sky and my very own annual special project for the youth, the Dinagyang Kapamilya Dance Showdown year 5 on the 20th of Jan, 4pm, SM City Carpark. These are only some of the events during the Dinagyang season because there are more. As such, Iloilo is living up to one of its monickers as the Capital of Festival of the country.

Before the highlight and after the highlight Dinagyang events, we also have the Arevalo District Fiesta, the Jaro District Fiesta, the Paraw Regatta Festival and the Chinese New Year Celebration. There is more reason for us Ilonggos to smile and be happy and more reason for our tourists and guests to visit, chose and stay in Iloilo City.

Hala Bira Iloilo! Viva Sr. Sto Nino!