THE Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Iloilo province. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY – The Tultugan Festival of Maasin town is the grand slam winner of the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, a competition among festivals of towns in Iloilo province as part of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City.
Tultugan won for the third consecutive year and bested seven other festivals.
“This is power in motion. This is discipline in rhythm. This is a victory forged by sweat, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will to win,” said Maasin Francis “Ansing” Amboy.
Tultugan also bagged major special awards – Best in Street Dancing, Best Musical Director, Best in Music, Best in Costume, Best in Production Design, and Best in Circular Creativity.
Tultugan depicts the heritage and culture of Maasin anchored on its thriving bamboo industry.
First runner-up was Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara town. Kahilwayan also won the People’s Choice Award as well as Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, Best Choreographer, and Best in Ingenuity.
The Kahilwayan depicts the Cry of Santa Barbara, Iloilo's revolutionary movement against colonial Spain. It is widely believed that the first Philippine flag outside of Luzon was raised in Santa Barbara on Nov. 17, 1898.
Second runner-up was Kasag Festival of Banate town. A previous champion of the Kasadyahan, Kasag depicts the thriving crab industry of Banate.
Other competing festivals were 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 Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahan is a partnership with the Iloilo provincial government under Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr.