IDFI wants to redeem religious aspect of Dinagyang
The liturgical committee of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) wants to redeem the religious aspect of this year's Dinagyang festival by mandating the contesting tribes to attend the daily novena masses to be held in San Jose Parish Church, in honor of Señor Sto. Niño. For the past years, the festivity was turned into a commercial and business opportunity rather than a religious festival.
Liturgical committee chair June Rivera said if all the 20 tribes will be allowed to compete in this year's festival, four tribes will hear the mass everyday and perform some of their steps after the mass. The novena mass will start from January 20-25, 2007.
Rivera noted that the festival lost its religious aspect and turned into a commercial event.
"The event was purposely held in honor of Señor Sto. Niño. However, it seems the people forgot the real essence of the yearly ati festival. There are competing tribes which do not even attend the novena masses when called to hear the mass. We have to go back to the basics," Rivera said.
Rivera could not help but compare the attitudes and devotions of Cebuanos to Ilonggos towards Señor Sto. Nino. In Cebu, the Basilica de Cebu is crowded with church goers during the novena masses but not in Iloilo. Last year, the foundation tried to institute such activity by celebrating masses and yet only few people heard the masses for Señor Sto. Niño.
In previous years, most of the tribes if not all joined in the yearly festival because of their so-called "Panaad" (devotion) to Señor Sto. Nino. Before, participating tribes support their group without "demanding" any financial help from the foundation or the city. They even came up with an artistic uniform by using indigenous materials and better portrayal of the celebration.
Dinagyang festival was placed in the tourism map of the country in 1977 during the time of deposed President Ferdinand Marcos when the late president declared the year as Tourism Year. With the declaration, each local government unit was asked to present any tourism related activity.
By that time, Dinagyang, which was then called as Ati-atihan sa San Jose de Placer was already in place. The tribes used to perform only at the church vicinity though they are also having a parade in the nearby streets. As many as 32 tribes compete during the time. The performances begin at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m., recalled Rivera. It was late Pacifico Sudario which coined the Dinagyang word, which means merrymaking.
The first tribe which captured the interest of the national as well as foreign dignitaries was the "Last Warriors", which was then being supported by Panaderia de Molo. They wore tin cans out of the cans used as container of their bread products. It was so beautiful and it created sounds because of the tin cans. The "Last Warriors" was even invited to perform in Manila.
Rivera lamented that with the change of time, the outlook of some tribe is not already to honor and pursue their vows on whatever graces they asked and are asking from Senor Sto. Niño. It is more of a money-making business to them. Before, with or without subsidy, they will find their ways and perform.
Last year, some tribes belonging to the Association of Tribes in Iloilo (ATI) threatened to boycott the festival after they were not given the subsidy they are asking from the foundation. The foundation stood by their decision not to release excessive amount to the tribes. Eventually, no tribe backed out during the Dinagyang 2006 competition.