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. Read more
A thousand drums: Guinness Book of World Records
Simultaneous roaring of a thousand drums today, January 22, will fire the first salvo of vying in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Tambor, Trumpa, Martsa Musika competition makes its way to the hearts of more than a million spectators of the world-famous Dinagyang Festival.
Dr. Febe Cang, chairperson of the Dinagyang drum and bugle competition, said the morning event will saw more than 1,000 drums roaring from the drummers of 16 Dinagyang Ati-atihan tribe contest, entries of 4 drum and lyre corps elementary level, 6 competitors in the secondary level and 3 marching bands and from guest performers PNP Band and the University of San Agustin.
Cang said they are going to document all the activities, the sound, music and performance of the drummers and send these to the Guinness Book of World Records by showing off that Iloilo Dinagyang is the biggest tourism event in the entire world.
The thousand drums will be held before the contest proper starting at 8:00 in the morning today. The contesting groups will perform in two performance areas such as the Freedom Grandstand and the Iloilo provincial capitol area. Read more
Iloilo’s disabled join Dinagyang
More that 500 disabled persons in the city and province of Iloilo will join the Kasadyahan Parade on Saturday, January 23 to add color to the festivities and show-off that the disabled are still in society’s mainstream.
Office of Persons with Disability Affair (OPDA) head Dolores Laudenorio said the sector does not want to be left behind and it’s participation in the prestigious festival will once again display and explore the advocacy and awareness of disabled persons of Iloilo throughout the world.
More than 1.2 million individuals are expected to congregate in the city to see the events and the disabled here are joining the activities in honor of the Sr. Sto Niño. The disabled will also display their artistic talents on January 25 at the Jaro covered gym for a “One Night Showcase of Talents, Laudenorio said. Read more
Food festival to showcase authentic Ilonggo cuisine
What is an authentic Ilonggo cuisine that tickles the finicky palate of those who tasted it?
This question will be answered by the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA) as it invites everybody and unfolds a four-day Dinagyang Food Festival on January 21-25, 2010 along Delgado Iznart streets here.
IRRA president Happy Abenir said the festival will showcase the truly Ilonggo dishes and delicacies, including food specialties of different restaurants and hotels in this highly urbanized city.
Abenir said the food festival will be participated by 28 IHRRA members all based in this city to show-off the best Ilonggo food to satisfy the palate of Ilonggos and their guests.
The area, a traditional place of the Dinagyang food festival, is a place to bring the family and their friends to show-off the truly Ilonggo hospital and best dishes and delicacies. Read more
Dinagyang Dance Showdown Year 3
A total of 7 dance groups that passed the elimination rounds of the Dinagyang Dance Showdown Year 3 are set to vie in the grand finals today, January 22 at SM City Iloilo.
Spearheaded by city councilor Nielex Tupas, ABS-CBN and SM City, the dance showdown is a regular special event of the world-famous Dinagyang Festival with highlights this weekend.
Tupas said his dance project seeks to give an opportunity to the youth especially in the barangays to show-off their dancing skills, discipline and commitment to give Iloilo City the honor of being the festival center of Western Visayas. Read more
1,000 volunteers to clean Dinagyang debris
Some 1,000 volunteers have signified their commitment to help clean the city streets after the Dinagyang Festival the highlights of which are on Friday, January 22 until Sunday, January 24, 2010.
City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said he has designated Engr. Raul Gallo of the Office of Public Services (OPS) to head the task force and help mobilize the volunteers clean the city streets.
It has been noted in the past Dinagyang Festival, mountains of garbage of more than 20 metric tons were collected in the downtown area, site of the three-kilometer long parade route of the Dinagyang. Read more
Paraw Regatta 2009 Photos
Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2009
The Iloilo Paraw (sailboat) Regatta, instituted in 1973 is a race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. Called “paraw” in the local dialect, these native outriggers faithfully copy in materials and design sailboats which carried to Panay, in 1212 A.D. the first settlers from Borneo who were in search for a peaceful home. the sailboats have survived the centuries and become a vital part of the Ilonggo seafaring life.
The first Iloilo Paraw Regatta was organized by the Iloilo Department of Tourism. The City of Iloilo, the municipalities of Oton, Jordan, Buenavista, Philippine Coast Guard, Negros Navigation, the late Atoniode Oteyza, Iloilo Boat Club, Panay Amateur Radio Club, the Iloilo Jaycees, Anhawan Beach resort and a host of others, readily welcomed the project and lent a helping hand. Since then, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta has grown both in size and renown. The race has become more exciting, colorful and inevitably a challenge to manage. This year, the Iloilo Paraw Regataa is among the main highlights of Island Philippines, a promotional program of the Department of Tourism. Read more
37th Iloilo Paraw Regatta Schedule
Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2009
List of official events, their schedules and venues:
Feb. 4, 2009 (Tuesday)
3:30 pm Launching of the 37th Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival - SM City Activity Center
Feb. 16, 2009 (Monday)
4:00 pm Formal Opening of the 37th Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival - SM City Activity Center
Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2009 Pageant
Feb. 16, 2009 (Monday) Read more
Kasadyahan 2009 photos
Iloilo Dinagyang festival 2009 Photos (slideshow)