IDFI warns 2 tribes: Shape up or ship out
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. has told ati-ati competing tribes to be more responsible in their performances as Dinagyang is being promoted as a world-class festival, City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena said.
Fifteen ati-ati tribes will compete in the Dinagyang festival 2011.
Jimena said they have already warned two competing tribes to improve their choreography and costumes or else they will be banned from joining future festivals.
He admitted that the Foundation was disappointed with the performances of these tribes during the last festival.
“We have given them the last chance. In Dinagyang 2012, we will be more strict in screening our participants because we also give them subsidy. We want the tribes to cooperate with us so that nothing will be put to waste,” he said.
Jimena also said that part of their Memorandum of Agreement with the contesting tribes is for them to follow all the prerequisites imposed by the Foundation.
Violators are given due process to explain their side, however, if they failed to follow the agreement, they will be required to return the money given to them, he added.
“This may serve as a warning to them. This is also part of our discipline because we want Dinagyang festival to be well promoted all over the country”, Jimena said.
The IDFI will give a subsidy of P 225,000 each for the Top 10 contesting tribes in last year’s festival and P175,000 for the rest.
Jimena said the Foundation hopes to give an additional subsidy of P40,000 to P 50,000 to each participating tribe.*MGC
