Iloilo City launches Dinagyang 2010
Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City’s premier tourism, religious and cultural celebration will heat up the center stage starting Friday October 16 for its local launching at the Freedom Grandstand.
Honoring Señor Santo Nino (the Child Jesus), Dinagyang is a festive merrymaking that prides of excellent folk choreography showcasing of Ilonggo heritage and culture as well as selling Iloilo as an ideal tourism and investment destination.
Signaling the start of Dinagyang season with the banging of loud drumbeats, a motorcade will kick off at 2pm from Plaza Libertad in City Proper rounding up the major thoroughfares of City Proper to Molo, going to Jaro via the Diversion Road, then La Paz and will end at the San Jose Church.
To make the IIonggo community aware that preparations for next year’s Dinagyang is underway, the motorcade enjoins the organizers, participants, and sponsors of Dinagyang 2009, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), City Government, City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO), San Jose Parish, Iloilo City Tourism Commission and Department of Tourism (DOT6).
At the San Jose Parish Church, a 4pm thanksgiving mass will be officiated to give thanks to Sr. Sto. Niño for all the good things that happen to Dinagyang.
A program and press conference will follow at 5pm at the Freedom Grandstand.
The signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the hosting of Dinagyang 2010 will be led by Mayor Jerry Treñas in behalf of the City Government, Lee Chuan for the IDFI, and Fr. Achilles Secio for the San Jose Parish.
The MOA signing will inform the public of the plan and accomplishment of Dinagyang.
An accomplishment report of Dinagyang 2009 will be presented by IDFI vice-president Ricardo Andrada and treasurer Marissa Segovia.
The Dinagyang Festival Committee will also present the 2010 action plan.
To show recognition to all those who have supported Dinagyang all through the years, tokens of appreciation will be given to the sponsors, institutional partners, Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA), Iloilo Business Club (IBC), Rotary Club of Iloilo, participants and working committees.
After which, a thanksgiving dinner for the success of Dinagyang 2009 will be hosted by the IDFI.
Meanwhile, Dinagyang will invade Manila on its national launch on December 12.
The Pamukaw on December 18 and Opening Salvo on January 15, 2010 will give the first peek to next year’s tribe competition.
The Closing Ceremonies of Ayre Bayle Serye and Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang will be showcased on January 17, 2010; Opening of Dance Festival, Cheer Leading and Dance, Dance Sports, Classical Ballet Festival and Contemporary Dance on January 18-21, 2010; and Drum and Bugle Marching Band and Fluvial Procession on January 22, 2010.
The Kasadyahan Parade, Sponsors Mardi Gras and Luces in the Sky Goes International will unfurl on January 23, 2010.
The Dinagyang Ati Contest and Awarding Ceremony will highlight on January 24, 2010. (PIO)