Dinagyang Festival 2011 – The Queen Festival of the Philippines

By Francis on Monday, 24th January 2011 Dinagyang Festival 2011 – The Queen Festival of the Philippines thumbnail

Thousands of people coming from different places including abroad are anticipating the stunning drum beats in the streets of Iloilo because of the Dinagyang festival craze. The simple fact is, this particular world renowned festival in the Philippines is not simply about the merry makings at all.

The Dinagyang festival is celebrated during last week of January, and this year the festival is held on January 23. The main objective in celebrating this brilliant event is to honor the natives Christianity as well as honoring Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus.

The event this year is the 43rd year celebration of the Dinagyang and is held on January 21-23, which themed; Ilo-ilo’s Finest, Nation’s Best. It also includes the Kasadyahan Festival held on the 22nd day of this month. The final day of the event showcases the brilliant parade of the participating groups’ costumes giving recognition to the Santo Niño while the Ati’s dance performances symbolizes the offering of prayers shouting “Viva Señor Santo Niño.” This specific phrase is heard in the middle of the heart-beating drum beats during the performances of the tribe groups.

Some of the personalities who gave grace to this year’s Dinagyang include Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, who is the sister of the President of the Philippines and was declared as an adopted daughter of Iloilo, Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Vu Xuan Truong, the Ambassador of India to the Philippines Shri Yogendra Kumar, some senators, representatives, mayors and other important personalities who desire to witness this spectacular event. The city officials headed by their Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, has shown full support to make this event a remarkable one every year.

The participating Ati-atihan tribu (tribes) who performed in the Dinagyang Festival 2011 include Angola, Aninipay, Atub-atub, Bantu, Bola-bola, Himal-us, Ilonganon, Molave, Pag-asa, Pan-ay, Manduryawnon, Salognon and Silak. The champion this year was the Tribu Pan-ay.

The Dinagyang was inducted into the Philippines Hall of Fame tourism events; this is the first festival to receive the prestigious award, following its recognition by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) being the best tourism event for almost three straight years and now called the Queen festival of the Philippines.