Kasadyahan's final in Dinagyang festival

KASADYAHAN, the twin highlight of the Dinagyang ati-atihan competition, performed its final dance Saturday.

After nine contingents from the municipalities of Iloilo and two guest performers, Kasadyahan took its last steps to step up to a higher level.

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Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. Vice President Ricardo Andrada said the Kasadyahan festival will become in itself a full festival of festivals in Western Visayas.

With the massive participation of the private sector, Kasadyahan will become a major festival in Iloilo after being billed as the other half of the Ati-atihan for more than 30 years.

City tourism officer Benito Jimena said the evolution of Kasadyahan is unprecedented. Formerly known as the mardi gras parade during the Dinagyang festival, Kasadyahan has become a festival of festivals of the Ilonggos with participation of festivals from different provinces of the region, notably from municipalities of the province of Iloilo.

Kasadyahan is expected either on April during celebration of the Semana sa Iloilo or on October, the celebration of the Tourism month.

The final dance steps were performed by Tribu Tinuom of the municipality of Cabatuan, Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras, Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo, Tribu Kasag of Banate, Tribu Pantat of Zarraga, Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena, Tribu Tubong-tubong of Tubungan, Tribu Mandurriaonon of the Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City and Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy.

Guest performers include Tribu Palayag of the municipality of Lambunao, Iloilo and Tribu Guimaras of Buenavista, Guimaras.