Dinagyang Devotion

Sunday, February 5, 2012

IT IS arguably Iloilo City's grandest and most famous event. The Dinagyang Festival, which pays homage to the Sto. Niño and showcases Ilonggo culture, has become one of the most awaited event by locals and tourists alike.

This year, the feast attracted more than 1 million spectators, and leading wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) was there to celebrate with the devotees, and to bring the joy and meaning of Dinagyang to more Filipinos across the country and around the world.

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Bringing Dinagyang to the World

City officials estimate this year's Dinagyang crowd at 1.2 million, which does not include those who witnessed the festival right in their own homes, perhaps even halfway around the world.

Smart partnered with travel blog site habagatcentral.com and local news site thedailyguardian.net to let viewers all over the country and the world experience Dinagyang through Smart's Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.

LTE, the most advanced fourth generation mobile technology provides high-speed Internet connectivity that enables Smart's partner sites to capture and broadcast events in real time via web video streaming.

Smart provided LTE coverage within the Iloilo Sports Complex where the live cameras were set up. Smart’s cell site in the areas has been recently upgraded and converted to a 4G-ready facility as part of the telco's network modernization program.

Safety before the revelry

But before the festivities began, Smart strengthened the Iloilo LGUs' capability to prepare for disasters like typhoons and floods.

In cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology Region 6, Smart formally inaugurated five Automated Rain Gauges (ARGs) installed in key locations across Iloilo. These ARGs are designed to automatically collect rainfall data and through the embedded Smart SIM, transmit data for further study by DOST.

Smart also turned over funds to help the DOST install Automated Water Level Sensors in three municipalities that are located within the Tigum-Aganan River System.

Sikat Pilipinas shines in Dinagyang

There were more reasons to celebrate as the festivities wore on. Ilonggos and tourists were able to avail of exclusive Smart offers and attend special events drawn up as part of Sikat Pilipinas, a campaign of Smart in cooperation with the Department of Tourism to highlight the best of the islands via a tour of festivals across the country.

Smart brought TV and movie celebrity Cristine Reyes and OPM rock band Itchyworms to provide live entertainment during the "Smart Day Grand Celebration" free concert.

Smart's float was also present at the Mardi Gras parade held a day before the actual Dinagyang festivities.

For a safer and cleaner Dinagyang

On top of all the fun and merriment that Smart provided was the protection that its employees, as well as those from parent company PLDT and members of the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo chapter offered via First aid stations located along the parade route. The volunteers provided assistance by treating minor injuries, distributing drinking water and medicines.

And in support of the city's declaration to make Dinagyang a "litter-free" festival, Smart organized a post-event cleanup. Employee-volunteers helped collect garbage and cleaned the road after the festival. Smart also took additional measures to help eliminate post-festival waste by deploying buntings and banners made of oxo-degradable plastic materials.

The best network

A partner of the Department of Tourism in showcasing the best of the Philippines, Smart is scheduled to visit more festivals across the country to bring not just merriment but also, unparalleled service.

"We are in the midst of a network modernization program that will enable us to enhance capacity and coverage," said Orlando B. Vea, Smart's Chief Wireless Advisor.

"Festivals are a challenge given the increase in network traffic due to the influx of festival-goers, but Smart will be there to make sure that wherever the festival may be, there will be quality service and connectivity so that participants here and all over the world will see that indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines," he added.