VARIOUS festivals in Iloilo perform a unity dance during the opening of the 2026 Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan in Iloilo City on Saturday. (Iloilo Dinagyang Festival)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government is giving away free tickets for the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, a competition among festivals of towns in Iloilo province as part of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City.
Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. said they want more people to see the eight festival performances as the final area is the Iloilo Sports Complex, which is owned and managed by the Iloilo provincial government.
While there will be free admission, Defensor said bulk of the tickets will be allocated to residents of eight towns with participating festivals.
Competing teams are defending champion Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Kasag Festival of Banate, Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Banaag Festival of Anilao, Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Jimanban Festival of New Lucena, Tawili Festival of San Rafael, and Pagnahi-an Festival of Bingawan.
The governor said that free admission is only for the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahan on Jan. 24 and not for the culmination of the Dinagyang Festival.
The opening ceremony for the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan was cut short at the Iloilo Sports Complex due to slippery ground from heavy rainfall on Saturday evening, Jan. 10.
Defensor said the program was cut short for the safety of the people. He said the program will also be cur short if it rains on Jan. 24.