THE Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City is expected to become a national event with the participation of 14 festivals in the Philippines joining the famous festival of this city slated from January 23 to 25.
City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena said the Dinagyang Festival reels on its 47th yearly edition of the premier tourist and cultural heritage attraction expected with more than one million revelers in the three-day celebration.
The First Philippine National Festival Costume Exposition is a new feature to act as connectivity to all festivals by showcasing the festival costume as a tradition and local way of life of the different festival places.
Jimena said the attire defines not only the history of the place, but also the preferences and multi-interests of the people in the locality.
The exposition includes exhibition of festival costumes at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Casa Real and a parade of costumes and accessories of the festivals that signified interest to come to Iloilo. More are expected to confirm their participation until next week.
The early confirmations are Amumunga Festival of Nueva Viscaya, Ati-atihan Festival of Aklan, Sinulog of Cebu, Desposorio of Bulacan, Higantes of Angono Rizal, Pintaflores of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Padang-Padang/Meguyaya of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, T’nalak/Lembuhong of South Cotabato, Kalilangan of General Santos City, Kalivungan of Cotabato, Daragang Magayon of Albay, LaLaguna of Laguna, Buglasan of Dumaguete City and Halad of Midsayap, Cotabato.