Opinion Polls
By Marichel Teves-Magalona
Dinagyang is a religious fiesta of the city… what do you like/dislike about the way we celebrate it? Why?
EUGENE JAMERLAN
Who said it was religious? We're all zealots around a watering hole!
MARTIN SORIANO
We should have been more careful about the Dinagyang's origins. Why in heavens name did the Sto. Niño have to come from Cebu ? Why not get one from Spain ? Ano ma subajar kita sa mga udong kag udang nga mga Cebuano? When you start a historical tradition, make sure you are the superstar. Look at me, ako ang first nag swim to Guimaras, I made sure that history will judge me well. You see, everytime you say the Sto. Niño originated from Cebu , you are already giving them the crown of being the Queen City of the south! EL RASA DE ILONGGO MAS BAJO CONTRAVEZ DE CEBUANOS? Nunca! Dapat our Sto. Niño should be replaced by another one from Louie Vuitton or Channel. I'm sure they would oblige, if we give them the honor di bala mga palangga? Hehehe… you are an exception, along with Amparito, Michel, Teresin and Johnny baby.
MICHAEL CALING
Ilonggos are very timid people, typically fence sitters who won't even bat an eyelash on the going-ons outside of the city. But once a year they let their gards down and go on a zany frenzy and party. The only thing we often overlook is its religious aspect with all the commercialism that goes with the whole caboodle. I rather stay home when we get rowdy.
JOHN CASTIGADOR
The religious aspect of the celebration should be given priority over its commercialism. Few people go to church to honor El Señor Sto. Niño. The Roman Catholic should do something about this before the dinagyang will be forgotten as a religious celebration.
ERIC SORIANO
It was safer before going out in the streets. But nowadays it tends to be risky what with all the addicts and “maoys” going around. There should be more police visibility to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration.
GENE GARINGALAO
It's good for the city's economy as it brings a lot of tourists in the city.
DR. CESAR UY
I hate the noise!
MARIGOLD TABIANA-ARMADA
I like Dinagyang because people gather down the street to celebrate the feast of Señor STO. NIÑO, however what apprehends me to join is because there are some people who behaves improperly and it causes trouble and violence.
CIRILO CALABIO
I like it because it sympolizes Ilonggo spirituality, creativity, unity and freedom. The best festival in the country. I don't like it because it becomes too commercialized!
NIEL LAAS
We've lost the real religious essence of Dinagyang. It was purely intended to market dinagyang NOTHING MORE. Try to ask people attending Dinagyang if they knew the historical significance of that stupid celebration. But try to ask our city council and they will give the details of how much money they have just earned.
BO PARCON
Dinagyang is supposed to be a revelry in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño. But as I have noticed, people seem to focus more on commercialism rather than its religious aspect.
ARLEEN MERCADO
A filling of joy and freedom overwhelms everytime we celebrate our Dinagyang and I'm proud of it. Too loud sound systems and moutainous trash are the only things I really dislike about it.
DENNIS LOCSIN
What I like about it is its tourism promotion aspect but it has lost its religious significance and instead overemphasized the commercial and money-making parts. Best of all it gives me a reason to leave town and escape the madness!
ALLAN TAJANGLANGIT
I like the way the tribes perform. What I dislike is too much drunkeness of merrymakers. Hey it's ok to drink as long as one does not create trouble.
DR. AREND ARUGAY
I don't like the MS. DINAGYANG contest. I also don't like the women who dance and dress seductively. We should give honor and reverence due to the Sto. Niño.
DEO LLAMAS
In a realtors point of view, we are celebrating the 1 st and 2 nd real estate scam in the Philippines . 1 st , when the Malayan Datus took the prime lands from the natives for a piece of pearl necklace and a golden salakot. And 2 nd , when the Spaniards took possession of our estate with the cross and the sword. It's history repeating itself again. Before it was the rich taking from the poor. Now it's the poor taking from the rich. Let's celebrate the circle of life.
BO CONSTANTINO
What I like is we give praise to the feast of Sto. Niño. What I dislike is the DRUGS, DRINKS, RAMBLE, SNATCHERS, all these have become their “feast day”.
JAY CERTEZA
Well it's good that local business especially restaurants reap the benefits of the large volume of people. BUT, more effort must be made cleaning up garbage after or even during the festivities. The clutter caused by Dinagyang could still be seen a week after.
EDGAR SIA
Dinagyang thru the years has become too commercialized to be a religious festivity.
DENNIS HOPILOS
Well, what I like most is that we honor the celebration to Sto. Niño and we start the festivities with a mass. The presentation of Ati-Ati are unique and I'm proud of being part of Ilonggo race. Hala Bira!
TERRI AMADOR
I dislike the Dinagyang's predictability and the resulting garbage from the festivities. I like it though for giving Ilonggos a reason to smile.
LLOYD CELIS
I like the way we celebrate. It is seen as a fusion of Ilonggo spirituality and aesthetics. Our devotion to Sto. Niño is being brought to a different level.
DR. NOEL BINAYAS
I like it when people frolic and revel to venerate the child Jesus. I don't like it when some in the city begin to believe a successfully run and cheered Dinagyang is the annual yardstick for successful urban management and governance!
DENNIS GARGANERA
Dinagyang is like watching television, more ang commercials. Dinagyang is a big business, the religious aspect is no longer the center of the activity.
JESS DIMAFILES
We like the way tribes improve their performance and quality of costumes to make the celebration more colorful and exciting. What I dislike are the occurences of street crimes as a result of too much alcohol and even drugs cause a lot of people give less emphasis on the religious aspect of the celebration.
JUN SAQUIN
It seems we focus more on merry making like eating and drinking, instead of devoting our day at least by attending mass in honoring the Sto. Niño.
SAM PRUDENTE
I like the professional approach DINAGYANG COMMITTEE utilizes to plan, organize and implement the festival… wait! Someone actually thinks this is religious?
STELLA ARUNGAYAN
I like the colors and the rhythm. But I have the expense and the noise! Also we seemed to have lost the religious significance of the celebration.
