No more NY trip for Tribu Paghidaet
The plan to send this year's Dinagyang champion Tribu Paghidaet to New York, USA will no longer push through after the city government failed to meet the funds required for the trip.
This was confirmed by City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday in an interview with City Hall reporters.
The city needs at least P2 million for the trip on June 1, 2008 which is supposed to bring 25 delegates to perform in New York upon the invitation of the Philippine Independence Day Council (PDIC). .
Treñas said the city was only able to raise P600,000 for the trip. The Department of Tourism national office gave P500,000 while Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) gave P100,000.
He said the organizers decided over the weekend that the US trip will be canceled for lack of funds. "Maybe next year when the city can raise enough funds for the foreign trip of any Dinagyang festival grand winner," said Treñas. Last year, the city was able to solicit P1 million from Pagcor for the US trip of the Dinagyang winner.
The Filipinos in New York are offering their houses and cars for the 25 delegates. However, the funds are not enough even if the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) will have a counterpart of P500,000. In the earlier plan, the group will perform on June 1 and will immediately return on June 3, 2008.
Meanwhile, Treñas said he is still proud of the Tribu Paghidaet though they failed to get the grand prize in the recent Aliwan fiesta in Manila. They brought honor and prestige to the city. "There is always room for improvement." Tribu Paghidaet copped the 1st runner up award.
The city should accept the defeat of the Tribu Paghidaet against the Sinulog of Cebu, Treñas said.
The mayor however said there should be improvement on the performance in the future competitions. "Nevertheless, the contest is like politics. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose," Treñas quipped.