ILOILO CITY – Seven tribes competed in the second “Dinagyang ILOmination” side competition of the Dinagyang Festival here on Friday night, January 26.
TRIBU Sidlangan performs at Dinagyang ILOmination, one of the side competitions of the 2024 Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. (Iloilo Dinagyang Festival)
Ilonggos are celebrating the weekend highlight of the Dinagyang that culminates on Sunday, January 28.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) estimated that 23,500 locals and tourists flocked to the vicinity of three key areas of Mandurriao District for the Dinagyang ILOmination.
They watched Tribu Ilonggohanon of City Proper District, Tribu Sagasa of La Paz District, Tribu Sidlangan of Lapuz District, Tribu Buntag-tala of Jaro District, Tribu Manduryaw of Mandurriao District, Tribu IAFA of Molo District, and Tribu Kahirup-Pavia of Arevalo District at SM City Iloilo, Ayala’s Atria Park District and Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park.
The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) launched Dinagyang ILOmination last year as part of the physical return of the festival after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
The Dinagyang ILOmination was the brainchild of film director Elvert Bañares, one of the two artistic directors of the Dinagyang Festival.
Dinagyang’s co-artistic director Eric Divinagracia said that ILOmination was the metaphorical symbol for hope, especially overcoming the challenges of the pandemic.
A Floats Parade of Lights was participated in by corporate sponsors of this year’s festival that honors the Santo Niño or Child Jesus.