A PORTION of the Iloilo City district will be closed for the opening salvo of the Iloilo Dinagyang 2020 starting Friday, January 10, 2020.
The opening salvo will start at 3 p.m. and judging areas will be at the Freedom Grandstand, Iznart-Solis St., Valeria-Ledesma St. and Central Market.
It is a dry-run of Dinagyang's 360 Degrees arena theater-type performance and carousel parade around downtown that will be held on Sunday, January 26.
Eight tribes -- Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS), Tribu Baybayanon of Melchor L. Nava National High School (MVNHS), Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni National High School (JNHS), Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School (JNHS), Tribu Hugponganon of Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School, Tribu Baryohanon of Bo. Obrero National High School (BONHS), Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School (LNHS) and Tribu Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña Memorial National High School (RANHS) -- will perform for a maximum of five minutes on each of the four judging areas.
Eleven candidates of the Miss Iloilo 2020 will also have their public appearance. Their main pageant night will be held at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center on Thursday, January 23.
The Miss Iloilo 2020 candidates are Syra Jinon Jagunap, Leganes Town; Desiree Jane Espa Tubaon, Igbaras Town; Tarilaye Figalan John Beke, Pavia Town; Rabiya Occena Mateo, Balasan town; Mary Desiree Defante Rendoque, Cabatuan town; Sharamie Apuli Solocio, Sta. Barbara town; Blessie Jay Senerez Villablanca, La Paz, Iloilo City; Keshapor Nam Empedrad Ramachand Ran, Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City; Darra Lorreine Galvan Sadsad, Sibunag town, Guimaras; Karen Laurrie Bano Mendoza, Concepcion town; and Ann Roxal Dedel Palmares, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
On Saturday, January 25, six barangay-based tribes -- Angola, Aninipay, Molave, Sagasa, Sagrada and Parianon-- will participate in the Dinagyang sa Calle. They will be joined by the remaining three veteran tribes -- Kanyao, Hamili and Panaad -- to revive the old vibe of merry-making from Freedom Grandstand to Solis St. and back.
A fireworks display at Freedom Grandstand will highlight the start of the Dinagyang festivities on Friday.
The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the new organizer, has leveled up this year's edition with a 360-degree performance in a perfect vision of spectators, with the theme "Celebrating the Ilonggo Spirit in Honor of Señor Santo Niño," highlighting devotion to the Child Jesus.