LakbayLoyd Fiesta Series : The Battle of the Tribes at the DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

The Dinagyang Festival is Iloilo City's version of the famous Ati-Atihan Festival held Kalibo and other parts of the country. It started way back in 1967 when the image of Sto. Nino was brought to IloIlo City from Cebu. Since then, the Dinagyang Festival was celebrated and the grand celebration is held every fourth week of January, a week after the Sinulog celebration. It may not be as old as the Ati-Atihan but definitely much much more impressive in terms of costume design, a display of Ilongos' artistry, ingenuity and craftsmanship, exquisite choreography and original musical scoring. The production numbers were very well-kept secrets and were only revealed during the competition itself, that's according to production insiders.

There are two major events during the festivals final weekend of the festivity. The Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition, held on the fourth Saturday, is participated by visiting tribes from different towns and provinces all over the Visayas and Mindanao. The most attended, much awaited and highly-anticipated Ati Tribe Competition is held.

I was able to witness Dinagyang Festival for the past three consecutive years, and like most of the festival's aficionados, I am very much convinced that the Dinagyang Festival is the best tourism event in the Philippines for all time.

In photos, the grand winner for three consecutive years - Tribu Panayanon.

Tribu Panayanon in 2013

Tribu Panayanon in 2014

Tribu Panayanon in 2015

Highlights of the Dinagyang Festival 2015

The Spectacular Dinagyang Festival of ILOILO

We are a country of festivals and fiestas. But of all the festivals I attended, I would consider the Dinagyang Festival as the most spectacular.

the Dinagyang is celebrated every fourth week of January following the Sinulog Festival of Cebu, which happens every third week of January. The same Sto. Nino image is carried from Cebu to Iloilo. The festival culminates with the fluvial procession of the image along Iloilo River. Thereafter, a week-long celebration of different activities, both of religious and cultural values, comprise the festivity.

The most exciting and much awaited events of the festival are the Kasadyahan and Ati Competitions, the latter being the highlight of the Dinagyang festival. A number of group participants with 100-150 members each representing a native Ilongo tribe compete against each other. Their bodies are painted in colorful and artistic motifs. Their costumes are elaborately well-crafted and their dance are artistically and rhythmically choreographed along with the loud trashing and drumbeats, all originally composed.

Visit Iloilo and experience Dinagyang Festival. For me, it's an experience of a lifetime.