The Dinagyang U.S. Tour Show at SM City Iloilo
More of the Maria
Clara Suite
The Cordillera Suite
More of the Rural Suite
The Rural Suite
SM City Iloilo was host to the ECD (Edwin C. Duero) Dance Company of the Philippines' "Arrival Performance" last Oct. 8, 2007 of the group who were sent by the Iloilo City Government to the United States to showcase Dinagyang Festival to the Filipino communities in the states as well as
tourists and residents of the areas.
This momentous activity showcased the dances of this Iloilo-based dance company, which they featured in the United States last June 2007. By holding presentations before the Filipino community in San Antonio, Texas
and Minneapolis, Minnesota, our brothers and sisters abroad were made aware that there is such a thing as "cultural excellence" in Iloilo City. More than 60,000 people in America witnessed the presentation, according to Ben Jimena, executive director of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI).
Eight females, eight male dancers and six technical members were part of the delegation. Their trip was sponsored by the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in coordination with the national government, city government and the IDFI.
Jimena added that another proof of cultural excellence is Dinagyang Festival's bagging the "Best Tourism Event for 2007" award in the national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) held in Camarines Sur last Oct. 5, 2007. This was Dinagyang Festival's second win in the said convention. It garnered the same award in 2006.
Iloilo's Paraw Regatta won as second runner-up.
"We are attempting to make Dinagyang Festival ‘larger than life'," Jimena said. "We will involve not only Iloilo but Filipino communities abroad. We are going to revive the drum and bugle competition and we are working on extraordinary tribe performances for Dinagyang 2008."
The cultural dances in SM City Iloilo were followed by a fashion show by Hector Gellangarin. He showcased some of the best Filipiniana designs ever created. The finale was a contemporary Dinagyang Ati-Ati performance.
The mall event was spearheaded by SM City Iloilo, The Iloilo City Government, The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc.(IDFI) and Department of Tourism 6.
This is not the only exciting event that one can look forward to in SM City Iloilo. Expect more fun-filled happenings in the Ultimate Shopping and Entertainment Destination --— SM City Iloilo.