Iloilo Dinagyang: The only one – IDFI
First it was “Iloilo, it’s happening!” Then it was “Yes, Iloilo!” For 2006, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation thinks it should be “Iloilo Dinagyang: “The Only One”.
Dinagyang Festival Executive Director Ben Jimena said that this tagline may be like shooting at the stars but if the Iloilo Dinagyang were to be something that is different from all the other festivals, then the dreaming and the fashioning of it to be so, should start now.
He further said that the conceptualization of the tagline, “The Only One” goes with the aim of raising Dinagyng into a level worthy of being the premier festival of the country.
Again, Jimena said that this might be aiming too high, but this goes well with Iloilo City’s “Think Big” philosophy. The IDF and the Iloilo City Government under Mayor Jerry Trenas just do not want the 2006 Dinagyang better than before, but better than expected.
By pushing the tagline, the IDF and the city government would like to create the impression that Dinagyang is on top category, above the rest of the festivals in the country and not like rest.
So far, Jimena said, it is only the Dinagyang Festival that was showcased as a success story of government and private partnership that leads to economic development for iloilo. The raves and reviews the festival has earned from both local, national and international observers are very encouraging, Jimena added.
No less than the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA)has tagged Dinagyang as the “Festival of Excellent Folk Choreography.” By winning a national street dancing competition, Dinagyang has etched an identity that is “Dinagyang is Iloilo, and Iloilo is Dinagyang”, Jimena said.
With the fame Dinagyang as a festival is getting, Jimena said that it shall remain focused on its religious color, a celebration that brings people together in honor of the Child Jesus.
(PIA6)