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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider ATOP declares Dinagyang Best Cultural Festival

ATOP declares Dinagyang Best Cultural Festival

Published Oct 3, 2025 11:15 am
THE Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
THE Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY — The Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City has again won a prestigious tourism award.
The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines Inc. (ATOP) declared the 2024 Dinagyang as the Grand Champion in the Best Cultural Festival Award during its national convention in Baguio City on Thursday, Oct. 2.
“This recognition is offered in thanksgiving to Señor Santo Niño and dedicated to the Ilonggo people — whose unwavering faith, creativity, and collective spirit continue to make Dinagyang a world-class celebration,” said the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) in a statement.
The award was received by IFFI Executive Director Joyce Ann Clavecillas, Dinagyang Co-Artistic Director Eric Divinagracia, and Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, outgoing ATOP president.
Held every last Sunday of January, the Dinagyang Festival is a celebration honoring the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).
The street performances of the Dinagyang depict the folkloric story of the pact between the native Ati people and the Bornean settlers of Panay as well their conversion into Christianity.
The IFFI partnered with the San Jose Parish Church, the Iloilo City government, the Iloilo provincial government, and the Ilonggo Artists Festival Association for the Dinagyang.
“This is for all Ilonggos. (This is) for the community,” added Elvert Bañares, Dinagyang co-artistic director.
Bañares thanked people outside the festival group -- utility, electricians, construction team, medic team, firemen, waiters and food staff, police, vendors, janitors, security, tech teams, staff, the schools, the parents, the Iloilo media, and tourism stakeholders -- for their efforts for Dinagyang.
Dinagyang has won several awards from ATOP for over a decade.
Its virtual streaming of the 2021 and 2022 festival was awarded by ATOP for giving the Ilonggos a festival vibe via online during the pandemic.

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