IDFI releases P2.4M to Dinagyang tribes
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) has already released P2,490,000 as subsidy to 20 competing tribes in this year's Dinagyang Festival. The competing tribes, however, are still asking for additional subsidy from the foundation. Of the 20 tribes, 13 tribes have received P150,000 each.
Based on the records released by the IDFI the 13 tribes that received P150,000 each were Atub-Atub, Molave, Pag-asa, Parianon, Baryohanon, Kalubihan, Angola, Familia Sagrada, Panaad, Dagyaw-Ta, Himala, Hamili and Aninipay. The subsidies were released from October 2006 until December 29, 2006.
On the other hand, Tribu Bantu, Halimaw, Ilonganon, San Pedro, Ang Taga Jaro, Silak and Paghidaet have received P80,000 each. Said tribes are still waiting for additional subsidy from the IDFI. They are asking for additional financial support from the foundation since the budget is not enough to finance each tribe.
However, of the 20 tribes, five of them are in danger of losing the chance to compete in this year's ati festival. The IDFI is still pushing for its plan to eliminate five tribes which are deemed not performing well. The Dinagyang Ati competition is set on January 28, 2007.
IDFI's chair of tribes Dr. Jaime Manila said the decision to eliminate five is not yet final but IDFI chair Lee Chuan wants to implement such plan this year. There are tribes who are just repeating their performances and recycle their uniforms.
He added that the IDFI has two options in striking out the fives tribes, it could be either based on their previous performances and result of a pre-judging. There will be different sets of judges for the elimination process.
Of the two options, Manila prefers to subject the tribes into a pre-judging to see how they will perform during the contest proper. But the warriors, dancers or drummers don't have to wear their costumes during the pre-judging.
The IDFI has already identified the tribes which could probably be stricken out from the list of competing tribes. Manila, however, begged not to identify the tribes while talks on the IDFI's plan is on-going.
The foundation wants to trim down the competing tribes though it has already released some subsidy. The IDFI wants to have a better performance from them. The performances must reflect the real essence of the yearly festival.