THE new Freedom Grandstand is now “ready” for the 51st Dinagyang Festival on January 25-27.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III said on Thursday, January 3, the completion of the new Freedom Grandstand which is now facing the Muelle Loney Street in City Proper will cater the next celebration of the festival this month.

“Of course, ang big ticket nga program amu ang Dinagyang (Festival) kay ang Dinagyang subong, tan-awon mo, it’s about three weeks na lang so the grandstand is ready (Of course, the big ticket program is the Dinagyang Festival because if you take a look at the Dinagyang now, it’s about three weeks left, so the grandstand is ready),” Espinosa said.

Previously, the old Freedom Grandstand was situated fronting the Downtown area. It was relocated for the adaptation of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority’s Sunburst Park restoration project.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has no objection regarding the historical essence of the structure.

Freedom Grandstand is a structure that represents the liberty in choosing the leaders. It was established through Iloilo City Freedom Law or Republic Act 1209 in 1995 which was penned by the late mayor, Rodolfo Ganzon.

Espinosa has discussed with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. Chairman Ramon Cua Locsin about the route to be implemented during the festival.

“Everything is now ready kag mga finer details na lang sang Dinagyang,” he added.

Dinagyang Festival Program

On January 25, the first day of the Dinagyang Festival, there will be Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika at 8 a.m., followed by the Fluvial and Solemn Foot Procession in Muelle Loney at 3 p.m. and at 9 p.m., there will be Luces in the Sky (Fireworks Display) at the SM City Iloilo Car Park.

The Kasadyahan Cultural Competition will be on January 26 at 8 a.m. followed by the Sponsors Mardi Gras Parade at 2 p.m. The Grand Religious Sadsad will be at 7 p.m. and it will be held at San Jose Parish Church Grounds while the Floats Parade of Lights and Glitters in the Sky (Fireworks Display) will be at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.

The Parade of Lights will cover Infante Street up to the Iloilo Business Park via Diversion Road and the Glitters in the Sky (Fireworks Display) will be held at the Iloilo Business Park.

The last day of the festival will open with the Concelebrated High Mass at the San Jose Parish Church at 6 a.m. and at 8 a.m. will be the Dagyang Tribes Competition.