Public hearing on plan to change color of ati tribes' warriors set
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) is set to hold a public hearing on October 24, 2007 to discuss their proposal to change the color of the body paint or soot used by tribe warriors in the ati tribes competition. IDFI is proposing to change the color from the usual black to dark brown. The public hearing, which will start at 9 a.m., will be held at the conference room of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Presently, there is a public debate on what exactly is the color of the Aetas, the aborigines of Panay where the color of the festival's dancers and warriors is patterned. Everyone should be heard during the public hearing, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
There is no specific group which contested the decision of the foundation to change the color of the body soot of Dinagyang warriors but Treñas said several people have already called his attention over the said plan.
Historians as well as other personalities who are considered authority on the issue were invited to the public hearing.
The mayor said the festival is owned by everyone so it should be wise to hear all the sentiments of the people regarding the plan to change the body paint of the warriors as well as dancers.
"All the sentiments of the people should be heard and will be heard," Treñas assured.
Meanwhile, IDFI executive director and same time Tourism chief Ben Jimena said the primary objective of the foundation in proposing to change the warriors' body paint is "for the Dinagyang Festival to have its own identity."
Jimena explained the proposal was an offshoot of their plans to innovate the festival.
Jimena lamented that people are always saying Dinagyang festival is only a copycat of the Ati-atihan festival in Kalibo and it has no historical roots and historical anchors. By changing the color, the festival will have its identity other than festivals of the same origin that honors Señor Sto. Niño.
He explained that black warriors and dancers resembles more of an African or American Negroes rather than the primitive Aeta. Aetas are not as black as what we are portraying them to be. "You have to take a closer look at the Aetas," he said.
Jimena added that the planned innovation is meant to live up on the expectations of the people. Dinagyang is evolving and growing. We could have not reached the bench marking in different festivals in the country if no innovations were made, Jimena said.
Dinagyang has created awareness among the people. It has to live by its name as the best tourism event in the country. Recently, Dinagyang was chosen as the top tourism event in the country by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP), said Jimena.