Dinagyang 2009 national launching set on Dec. 13
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) will have a national launching of the famous Dinagyang festival in Manila on December 13, 2008.
In the schedule of Dinagyang activities provided by the foundation, the launching will be held at Tiendesitas, Greenhills and Glorieta. It will be attended by officials of the foundation. The national launching came following the local launching in the city last December 1 at the SM City.
According to IDFI's Publicity and Media Relations chair, Nena Magalona, Ang Tribu Taga Jaro will add color to the national launching as they will perform in the three big shopping centers in Manila. Ang Tribu Taga Jaro was the second runner up in this year's Dinagyang competition.
While, Dagoy, the festival's mascot will also go on national tour in showcasing the event. The mascot will visit the different branches of Mang Inasal and Deco's in Manila. Mang Inasal and Deco's originated in Iloilo City and have branches in Manila and other parts of country.
The national launching is held before months of the celebration as part of the promotion activities. It will give the people in other places a glimpse of what Dinagyang is all about. At the same time, the national promotion will encourage local and foreign tourist arrivals.
Magalona added 18 tribes have already registered to the foundation as of Friday last week to participate in next year's Dinagyang competition.
The participating tribes include The Taga Jaro; Tribu Ilonganon; Tribu Pag-asa; Tribu Aninipay; Tribu Bantu; Tribu Milagrosa (formerly Tribu Baryohanon); Tribu Binhi; Tribu Panaad; Tribu Himal-us (Guimaras); Tribu Atub-Atub; Tribu Paghidaet; Tribu Panagat (formerly Tribu Parianon) and Tribu Molave.
The competing tribes will vie in five major awards, from the championship award to 4th runner up. The minor awards at stake for the 2009 Dinagyang competition are best in performance, best in choreography, best in music, best in costume and best in street dancing.
The special awards range from the best in discipline and best choreographer. The choreographer of the tribe who wins the Best in Choreography minor award shall be declared as Best Choregrapher.