The “Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan” – one of the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival in January 2024 – will showcase the rich culture and traditions of Iloilo and expected to boost the province’s tourism industry.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., during the grand launch of the festival at SM City Iloilo, said that the ‘Kasadyahan’ will be the display window of the towns to showcase their distinct cultural traditions through their own festivals.

Defensor stressed that the provincial government will make a comprehensive festival package that reflects Iloilo’s tourism identity, which is anchored to its theme, “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo.”

“We will try our best to show a leveled-up version of the festivals of the province […] We will give you fun, foodie, friendly festivals in Kasadyahan sa Kabawahanan 2024 through different tribes coming from different municipalities. We will give you harmony in diversity because our slogan will bind together the tribes in different performances of the municipalities,” the governor said.

Nine towns will join the next year’s edition of the Kasadyahan, namely the Saad Festival of Leganes, Katagman Festival of Oton, Pantat Festival of Zarraga, Cry of Jelicuon Festival of New Lucena, Kaing

Festival of Leon, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Banaag Festival of Anilao, Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival of Calinog, and Kasag Festival of Banate.

Defensor explained that despite the provincial government’s desire of allowing more towns to join the competition, only nine were allowed due to time limitations, noting that the event slated in the afternoon of Jan. 27, 2024 will end just in time for the start of the grand religious sadsad (merrymaking) at night.

The provincial government will extend a financial assistance amounting to P1 million for each team to make their performances vibrant and grander.

Initial data from the Capitol revealed that the champion of the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan will receive P500,000; P350,000 for second place; P200,000 for third place; and P50,000 consolation prizes will be given for the no-winning tribes.

Meanwhile, the governor thanked Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas and Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) President Allan Ryan Tan for supporting the Iloilo Provincial Government in hosting the ‘Kasadyahan’ for the first time.

“We would like to capture who we are and what we are […] We will try our best to showcase a leveled-up version of the festivals of our municipalities in the province,” Defensor added.

Iloilo City Mayor Trenas, in a message delivered by Councilor Johnny Young, also said that the event will contribute to the overall success of the Dinagyang Festival, noting that it already became a “traditional platform to showcase the vibrant and diverse culture of Iloilo.”

“For me, it’s indeed the time, now more than ever, to level up our meaningful collaborations as one Iloilo, bound by our people, resources, faith, culture, and tradition; take a collective stride forward; and bring the city and province to greater heights,” Trenas added.AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo