With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

A "complete success" was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

"Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics," added Treñas.

Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.

The special guests were seen enjoying the Ilomination night at SM City Iloilo with Mayor Jerry Treñas, SM’s SVP for Operations Bien Mateo, Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong, YouTube celebrity Small Laude, veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, philanthropist and influencer Tessa Prieto, eventologist Tim Yap, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran, and Chef Tibong Jardeleza,Jr.

Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

"I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sainyotanan, mgapinalanggakonga Ilonggo. Ang tananngainibangudsainyokag para man sainyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival," said Treñas.

The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever DinagyangIlomination on Jan. 21, Batchoy Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

Darren Espanto wowed the audience with his song and dance performances

(From left to right) House Speaker Martin Romualdez, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during the Dinagyang Dance Competition at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand

Conversation over Batchoy with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto, TV personality Tim Yap, veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran, and renowned Iloilo Chef, Rafael "Tibong" Jardeleza Jr.

YouTube star Small Laude with Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong enjoying a bowl of Batchoy at SM City Iloilo

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Hala Bira! Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto, TV Personality Tim Yap and broadcaster Karen Davila at the Dinagyang Exhibit with SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Several dignitaries from foreign embassies attended the festivities as well—Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo, Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat, Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster, Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE TitanillaToth, Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz, Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d'Affaires a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya, Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji, and Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac.

Two of the many foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises.

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or "merrymaking." The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country.

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‘A complete success’—Face-to-face Dinagyang exceeded expectations