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Foundation expects P10M fund for Dinagyang The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) is expecting an estimated P10 million budget for the successful hosting of the city's premier festival this January. "It's all set, except the money," IDFI executive director Ben Jimena said adding that an exclusive sponsorship by Smart Communications is already placed "in principle". Jimena told reporters that IDFI is looking forward for the money to come in by Tuesday next week. The foundation had sought a "lock-out system" wherein an exclusive sponsorship is granted to the highest-bid advertiser. He noted that Smart has offered P8 million while Globe proposed P4 million.As a result, Smart will exclusively position their streamers and promotion materials in the city's major thoroughfares during the festival. Jimena also said the city government pledged an amount of P1 million while the provincial government would pledged P300,000. The Department of Tourism (DOT) would also contribute P300,000, he said adding that other resources would come from ticket sales and kiosks' rent. Earlier, in a launching conference, Jimena expressed confidence there would be enough funding saying "it's not very difficult to make negotiations in asking for sponsors" despite the government's financial crisis situation.Jimena stressed that conducting the festival is not just the effort of the government but in partnership with the private sector. This year's celebration has the theme "Devotion in Motion: Unity for Peace and Progress" and the slogan "Yes Iloilo". Jimena said it's because "we don't want to say no to our guests and proud to say that we have made it now". Dinagyang 2005 will also have a number of innovations. Jimena noted that a three-day seminar was conducted by the Rotary Club of Iloilo and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) together with choreographers and tribe managers.The discussion was aimed at improving the performance of every participating tribe by giving emphasis on the "story behind the movement". The choreography should have "with the spirit rather than just movement of the body," he said. Meanwhile, the organizers decided to have only four judging areas for the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang contest. The Stage No. 2 at Plazoleta Gay will not be included to provide smoother flow of performing tribes and for the participants to take some break. The stages will be at Freedom Grandstand, Provincial Capitol grounds, Quezon-Ledesma and Maria Clara areas. There will also be additional bleachers by putting up of comfortable and strong structures around judging areas to accommodate the spectators. The IDFI's latest report bared that 22 participating tribes have already signified to join the Ati-ati competition, 16 of which are under the Barangay Category while 6 are on the Open Category. The Kasadyahan contest will have 12 performers' group. |
