MAYOR Jose Espinosa III led the opening salvo of Dinagyang Festival last Friday, January 11 in the new Iloilo City Dinagyang Grandstand at Muelle Loney facing Iloilo River.

“This is a historic event for us as we were able to witness the Dinagyang tribes' performance with Iloilo River in the background. Both Ilonggo pride won the Galing Pook award,” Espinosa said.

Dinagyang won in 2012 while Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project was awarded in 2018 as outstanding local governance programs given by the Galing Pook Foundation.

This year, the eight competing tribes are Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School, Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña National High School, Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Hugponganon of Barangays Lanit and Buntatala in Jaro, Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Salognon of Jaro National High School, and Baryohanon of Bo. Obrero National High School.

The 51st edition of Dinagyang Ati tribes competition will also see the famed Tribu Bola-Bola of Iloilo National High School and Tribu Miru of the Indigenous Community from Barotac Viejo and Anilao as guest performers during the highlight on January 27. (PR)