ILOILO CITY – The hybrid onsite and virtual streaming of the 2022 Dinagyang Festival here has again won a prestigious tourism award.
The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines Inc. (ATOP) declared the 2022 Dinagyang as the grand winner of the Best Cultural Festival Award-City category, besting two other festivals in the country in a ceremony as part of the 24th ATOP National Convention in Boracay Island on October 5.
The award was received by Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) Executive Director Joyce Ann Clavecillas, Eric Divinagracia and Elvert Bañares, artistic and creative directors of the Dinagyang, respectively, and Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, ATOP president.
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and passion of everyone involved in making the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2022 Padayon a resounding success,” said IFFI in a statement.
Anchored on resiliency and faith, IFFI held a virtual streaming of the January 2022 highlight of the festival honoring the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) with the theme “Padayon Iloilo! Upod kay Señor Sto. Niño” as Covid-19 cases spiked at that time.
In lieu of the actual live events for the festival’s highlight, the group performed only for a selected audience at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
But Ilonggos from all over the world were able to see via online streaming the depiction of the folkloric story of Bornean immigrants making a pact with the tribal Ati people of Panay Island and their eventual Christianization.
ATOP also honored Dinagyang in 2021 when it named the 2021 digital edition of the Dinagyang as the country's best tourism practice during the pandemic.
The IFFI partnered with the Iloilo City government, San Jose Parish Church, and the Ilonggo Artists Festival Association.