Dinagyang week starts; More spectacular Dinagyang tribes presentation seen
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) Executive Director Ben Jimena said the 20 competing tribes in the 2007 Dinagyang ati competition can live up to the expectations of the spectators as the "best tourism event" in the country as manifested in last Friday's opening salvo.
Jimena said the preparation made by each contesting tribe was already seen in their initial performance last Friday. Each tribe had their effort to make a spectacular presentation in the opening salvo. The presentation made by the tribes could be considered as "cheering contest" as shown by their performances.
Last Friday, Tribu Silak, Angola, Atub-Atub, Pana-ad, Paghidaet, Pag-asa, Kalubihan, Aninipay, Baryohanon, Ilonganon, Himala, Parianon, Hamili, Halimau, San Pedro, Bantu, Ang Taga Jaro, Dagyaw-Ta, Familia Sagrada and Molave awed the crowd with their dance steps and beating of their drums.
The tribes did not wear their costume and headdress during the opening salvo but it did not stop the crowd from watching their favorite tribes. Spectators did not mind the scorching heat of the sun while waiting for the tribes to perform. Traffic in major streets was stalled to give way to the opening salvo.
Jimena said this year's Dinagyang could be better than the previous years as each tribe struggle to make it to the top. Earlier, the foundation made their point with the Association of Tribes in Iloilo (ATI) that they want a better and improved festival not only in terms of performances but also with their costumes.
With the plan for a better and improved festival, the foundation even recommended the elimination of five tribes with below-par performance. However, this plan was junked by ATI since it is already too late for the foundation to eliminate five tribes.
The tribes have already received incentives from the foundation and almost perfected their presentation when the foundation contemplated of eliminating five tribes. Nevertheless, the ATI agreed with the foundation to oust five tribes next year.
Apart from the Dinagyang ati contest and Kasadyahan contest, the foundation also included several sports events to add more color to the yearly celebration which placed Iloilo City in the international tourism map.