The celebration of this year’s Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City is set to officially kick off on Friday, Jan. 10.
The opening salvo of the 52nd edition of the world-renowned festival will be held at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand in the City Proper.
The program will start at 3 p.m. It will be attended by city government officials headed by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and executive directors of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI).
“It’s all systems go for the opening salvo of the festival,” said IFFI.
All competing tribes for the Dinagyang 360° Tribe Competition will perform at grandstand and three other designated judging areas: Solis-Iznart, Valeria- Ledesma, and Central Market.
The official tribes are Baybayanon, Baryohanon, Dagatnon, Hugponganon, Ilonganon, Paghidaet, Panayanon, and Salognon.
The six barangay-based tribes for Dagyang Sa Calle Real will join the parade. These are Angola, Aninipay, Molave, Sagasa, Sagrada, and Parianon.
Also part of the opening salvo is the presentation of Miss Iloilo 2020 candidates.
There will be a fireworks display after the activity.
The Public Safety and Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) is expected to follow the same traffic scheme implemented during the opening salvo of the annual festival.
In previous years, several streets in the City Proper were closed to motorists from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Afternoon classes in all public schools were also suspended.IMT
Photo by Manny Librodo
