51st Dinagyang Festival to be launched on Oct. 8

The 51st edition of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival is set to be officially launched next week.

The event will be held at the Ker and Co. building, City Proper on October 8.

Part of the ceremonial launch is the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the staging of the festival in January 2019.

The MOA will be forged by Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) president Ramon Cua Locsin, Mayor Joe Espinosa III, Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, OSA of the San Jose Parish, Department of Tourism (DOT-6) Director Helen J. Catalbas and city councilors.

Locsin, in a press release from the Public Information Office of the city, said they would “return the Dinagyang Festival to its original form.”

“After 50 years, we are all challenged to make sure that tge festival remains true to its core as the Ilonggo’s way of thanksgiving thru merry-making.”

Last September 26, the IDFI organized the 1st Iloilo Dinagyang Rhythm and Vibes Conference for choreographers, musical directors, dancers and tribe managers, among others.

Resource person Eric Divinagracia, advisory council member for the Alliance of Dinagyang Tribes in Iloilo, said the Dinagyang performance has been evolving, becoming more spectacular but less cultural.

SOURCE: Iloilo Metropolitan Times

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