Facing the music
The success of the 2008 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival last month was a concerted effort of the many sectors of the community that includes media, church, participating tribes, business, and government. It has manifested once again that when the whole community cooperate and work together with a common purpose for the common good, the conduct of the project becomes smooth and the objectives set are attained. Everyone rallied behind the festival's theme of "One Heart One Mind for Senor Santo Niño" in order to showcase that the country's best tourism event has indeed become "larger than life!"
Media was a major actor in promoting Dinagyang. The festival was all over – in print and in broadcast, making news as it brings out multifarious innovations – new color for a more authentic representation, new guidelines to address the demands of the times, new techniques for suitability, and new strategies without fear of making wrong turns. The Web was a very effective medium for global awareness.
Liturgical activities were planned within the bounds and in accordance with the doctrine of the Church; and integrated in the whole festivity. There were endeavors to keep the real essence of the religious celebration with the Santo Niño welcome and fluvial processions; and attempts to extend participation with the other parishes in the City.
The major parades which included the drum and lyre contest on Friday, Kasadyahan and Sponsors Mardi Gras on Saturday and the Dinagyang Ati on Sunday, were the biggest attractions. Participating groups had made good their commitment to give all their best. A whole lot of them were exceptionally splendid. The unexpected scene stealer was the fireworks competition "Luces in the Sky" which set the biggest crowd record of fifty thousand gathered around the Diversion Road area.
Sponsorship was a little bit difficult with some of the big companies being too hot to handle. There are still funds to be collected but then agreements have already been signed and payments are in the pipe lines. The foundation was able to find new generous sponsors this year.
The support of the local governments of the City and Province of Iloilo, the magnanimity of the Department of Tourism – both the national and the Region 6 offices, the effective implementation of the security, sanitation, and medical assistance plans were instrumental to bring out a grand show.
Successful as it may appear, there were however creases that came out of what was supposed to be a well pressed linen masterpiece. Though the majority was impressed by the world-class Ati performances, the grandiose fireworks, the unpretentious warmth of the Ilonggos, and the unbridled cheerful air that enveloped the city, some people saw only the kinks - a cacophony of happenings that stained the celebration.
For the IDFI Executive Committee, the recently concluded 2008 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival was a thankless job. In spite of its overwhelming outcome – the celebration has attracted and wowed more than a million visitors to Iloilo City, the group felt disenchanted with the response they got from other sectors which seemed not to appreciate the efforts of IDFI to make Dinagyang the best ever again.
When words came out that the foundation was planning to change the body paint of performers from black to dark brown, some members of the local media were not happy about it; trying to block what is not black and insisting that the Ati is black. They reasoned out that changing tradition may lead to distorted representation of culture. They objected to the idea because they refused to understand the real object of the change – to make Dinagyang distinct from and get out of the shadows of Ati-atihan. It took a public hearing to convince the community to accept the dark brown body paint. The resistance was not because they are colorblind but may be because for once they failed to prove their power to influence decisions.
Some of the clergy were also complaining about the waning religiosity of the festival. They even used the pulpit to air their grievance - accusing the foundation of promoting Dagoy, the festival mascot, more than honoring the Child Jesus. They protested against placing the image of Senor Santo Niño side by side with the brands of alcoholic beverages and other commercial symbols. They scrutinized every promotional collateral to check if the religious icon was given a more prominent place in the layout. It was like emphasizing that religiosity means never having to say that others also exist.
Members of the Association of Tribes in Iloilo were restless and impatient. They kept on telling people they are not getting enough support from the foundation. They even went to radio stations to ventilate their dissatisfaction and to question where the financial assistance which was supposed to be for subsidy went. They were not contented with the agreed amount of subsidy and they seemed not to have a clear understanding of the subsidy policy. They were always hoping that the foundation would have lapses in policy implementation. Short of blackmail, they have threatened to boycott the contest. They should change their name to Association of Tribes in Iloilo City so that their acronym would be more descriptive of their actions.
There were ludicrous issues about sale of tickets for the Freedom Grandstand and assignment of the side stages which prompted the City Council's Committee on the Whole to conduct an investigation. Some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod were peeved for not being able to purchase tickets for the grandstand. They too, would want to buy tickets for their guests, but the Ticket Committee failed to accommodate them. There were accusations hurled at the foundation for allowing some favored clients to make "pakyaw" purchases of the tickets.
The seats at the Freedom Grandstand are both complimentary and paid. The center and the east wing are reserved for the guests of the city government and the seats are not for sale. Complimentary tickets are issued for these areas. The west wing is operated by the foundation and the seats are for sale. Tickets are sold on an outright purchase, first-come basis or on C.O.D without reservations. This has been the policy for many years and but some people may not be aware of this.
In a situation where demand for seats is much bigger than what is available, when everybody wants to get a seat at the grandstand with a very limited capacity, accommodation becomes a head ache. The Freedom Grandstand has been the most preferred viewing stage because it is where the opening ceremony is held and where all the VIP guests – government officials, celebrities and movie stars are seated. Because of this, people including some city councilors complained that they cannot secure these tickets. They accused some members of the foundation amassing and scalping tickets for the grandstand.
Two weeks before the festivity, the Association of Barangay Captains came to question why they were not tapped to construct side stages that were once assigned to them to operate. They claimed that IDFI duped them with the deal that was supposed to solve the problem of illegal stage structures; a deal that would allow ABC officials to construct side stages for the purpose of discouraging unauthorized bleachers to sprout. It was an arrangement that would enable barangay captains generate fund by selling tickets for the side stages.
This year, however, the stage at the Plazoleta Gay was stricken out of the parade route. While the other stages are about a kilometer away from each other, this one was too close to the Freedom Grandstand, making it redundant and causing bottleneck situation. The tribes favored the reduced number of stages for it would mean more energy for the street dancing phase which was given more weight in the judging criteria.
The reduction in the number of stages also decreased the number of seats. To offset this, IDFI advised operators of the remaining stages to extend and expand their structures. This was taken up in a meeting of the Stage Operation committee where operators were asked to submit new stage layouts which included side stages. The layouts were approved by the Execom. When ABC raised its concern, they were advised to coordinate with the stage operators. They complained because they wanted to have all side stages for themselves. They claimed to have the sole privilege to the side stages as what have been arranged in the past. But there was nothing automatic about verbal agreements especially in different situations. ABC could have raised an objection when the new four-stage plan was discussed in the meeting.
At first, IDFI thought money is the big problem. It is not! And come to think of it. As Dinagyang enters the fifth decade, it is met with new and greater challenges. As it has become larger than life, it has stumbled on "hard rocks". The experience has left a dent on its ego, some bad taste in the mouth. From where it expected some appreciation – a commendation for a job well done, all it got was nothing less than allegations of fraud.
Still, the men and women of IDFI remain resolved to face these tests; to carry on their mandates with honor and integrity; and to make good their commitment to bring Dinagyang to higher ground. But this could be their swan song.