2 Million to see Dinagyang Festival

More than 2 million individuals are expected to see and enjoy the highlights of Dinagyang Festival slated Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24.

City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the spectators and revelers this year’s celebration is beyond his expectations as all hotels and pension houses here are fully booked and paid in advance.

Treñas also said that beach resorts, lodging houses and hotels in the first and second districts of Iloilo have reported full reservations for guests and revelers of Dinagyang.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could not come to the Iloilo celebration since she has prior commitments. However, this should not dampen the spirit of Dinagyang as more dignitaries have signified their intentions to come to Dinagyang on Saturday and Sunday.

Among those who earlier confirmed attendance to the celebration are the Ambassador of Norway HE Knut Solem and wife, chairman Francisco Eizmendi Jr. of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) and chairman Hans Juergen Springer of the Cities Development Initiative Alliance (CDIA), Chinese Consul Wang Jinyan and Chinese Consul Liu Jinrong, .

Also expected to come are several senators and vice presidentiables. Those who confirmed their presence are Senator Richard Gordon, former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, Senators Loren Legarda, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Juan Miguel Zubiri, TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco and wife Congresswoman Judy Syjuco, Cong. Saturnino Ocampo, Congresswoman Liza Maza, Mayor Amelita Navarro of Santiago City and Presidential Assistant for Religious Affairs Silvestre Bello III.

2M to see Dinagyang Festival

By Lydia C. Pendon

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