mybeautifulILOILO: A Fusion of Boom and Grandeur for ILOILO Dinagyang 2013

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A Fusion of Boom and Grandeur for ILOILO Dinagyang 2013

photo by Jun Fuerte

Iloilo is a festival province. It has a calendar filled with more festivals then most people can think of. Throughout the whole year, colorful and vibrant festivals range through musical, religious, cultural and harvest to name just a few. In fact many of these festivals have won national acclaim. Our festivals are occasions where people come together to celebrate anything from the arts and live music, to food to name but a few.

Every year during the last weekend of January, the city and province of Iloilo prepares itself for one of the country’s greatest cultural festivals, one of the biggest and most boisterous celebrations called Dinagyang, from the Hiligaynon word, Dagyang or roughly translated it means “merry-making.” The Hiligaynon term Dinagyang was coined by a local writer and radio broadcaster, the late Pacifico Sumagpao Sudario and was used in 1977 to differentiate it from the Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo.

photo by Jun Fuerte

At the fourth weekend of January each year the city of Iloilo is transformed into one huge happening with the celebration of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. It is a religious, spiritual and celebratory festival to honor the Child Jesus popularly known as Sr. Sto. Niño, considered as Iloilo’s patron saint. It is highlighted with the inter-tribal dance competition on the fourth Sunday along with extravagant parades in a dazzling display of colorful shiny and glittery tribal costumes, painted faces and thunderous drumbeats with shouts of "Viva Señor Santo Niño" that accompany the participating tribes.

photo by Jun Fuerte

Dancing and music have held an important role in culture of the celebration and are closely intertwined with ceremony, ritual and ancestral worship. Hear the performers move out in rhythmic steps, with vociferous shouts and wild cries of joy with the occasional clapping of hands and jerky dances keep time to the beatings of the drums. The dance develops into variety of pleasing pattern, in which the dancers change their positions which amazing speed.

For a period of 10 days starting with the festival’s opening salvo, with a hive of special events from art exhibit, travel fair, golf tournament, car show, medical mission, marathon, photo and painting exhibits, heritage tours, beauty pageant, religious parade, pyrolimpics, film, sports, fluvial procession, fashion show and food festival. It has the largest outdoor food festival in the city with a labyrinth of food stalls nestled closely together, and a hive of activity. Some stall holders sleep here in the evenings as eating and drinking rarely stops.

photo by Jun Fuerte

From its humble beginnings in 1969 the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival has snowballed into a major event on the country’s festival scene. It is as strong today as ever before, it is evident the present generation fuses the culture, customs and traditional values for future generations to uphold.

Throughout the entire Iloilo Dinagyang celebration, with this year’s theme, “A Fusion of Boom and Grandeur,” you have the opportunity to enjoy the different events, which are celebrated right here in Iloilo City:

January 4 (Friday) Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Talent Competition at 4 p.m., Robinsons Place Iloilo; January 11 (Friday) Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Costume at 3 p.m., Robinsons Place Iloilo; January 12 (Saturday) Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Jetski Swimwear Fashion Show at 4 p.m., Iloilo Esplanade; January 18 (Friday) Mass for Opening Salvo at 2:30 p.m., San Jose Parish Church; January 18 (Friday) Opening Salvo at 3 p.m., City Parade Route; January 19-31 with Dinagyang Art Exhibition at the UPV Art Gallery; January 19-25 with Iloilo Travel Mart at the Mary Mart Mall; January 19-20 with Dinagyang 2013 Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club, Sta. Barbara,Iloilo; January 19-20 with Dinagyang Sound Off and Car Show at 3 p.m., SM City carpark; January 20 (Sunday) 2^nd Iloilo Dinagyang Marathon at 5 a.m., SM Front Covered Walk; January 21-27 with 1^st Dinagyang Photo and Painting Exhibit at the SM City Event Center; January 23 (Monday) Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Coronation Night at 7 p.m., San Agustin Gymnasium; January 24 (Thursday) Arrival of Pilgrim Image of Sr. Sto. Nino de Cebu at 7 a.m., Iloilo Portb to San Jose Church; January 24-25 with the 4^th Dinagyang Pyrolympics: Luces in the Sky at 7 p.m., SM City Parking Lot; January 24-26 with Sineng Pambansa at 6 p.m., SM City Cinema; January 24-27 with Dinagyang IHRRA Food Festival at Delgado street; January 25-26 with 6^th Iloilo Dinagyang National Age Group Swimfest at 5 p.m., Iloilo Sports Complex and 3^rd Mayor’s Badminton Cup at the Sportsville Badminton Court, Sambag, Jaro; Januay 25-27 with Iloilo Dinagyang Street Party at 6 p.m., Delgado, Valeria, Ledesma and Iznart streets and Bonifacio Drive; January 25 (Friday) Tambor, Trumpa, Martsa, Musika at 8 a.m., Bonifacio Drive to Freedom Grandstand; January 25 (Friday) Fluvial Procession at 3 p.m., Fort San Pedro Drive to San Jose Church; January 25 (Friday) Dinagyang Dance Showdown Grand Finals at 4 p.m., SM City carpark , Kapuso Night at 7 p.m., Robinsons Place and Handog ng Bombo at Star FM at 8 p.m., SM City carpark; January 26 (Saturday) Kasadyahan Festival at 8 a.m. and Sponsosrs Mardi Gras at 2 p.m. with ABS-CBN Kapamilya Caravan at 5 p.m., SM City carpark, Religious Sadsad at 7 p.m., San Jose Church and Patis Tesoro: Metamorphosis Fashion Show at 7 p.m., Kalantiao Hall of Sarabaia Manor Hotel and Convention Center; January 27 (Sunday) Concelebrated High Mass at 6 a.m., San Jose Church; Iloilo Dinagyang Ati Contest at 8 a.m., GMA Kapuso Mall Show at 5 p.m. at the SM City carpark, Awarding Ceremony at 7 p.m., Freedom Grandstand.

No comments:

ILOILO: the Heart of the Philippines

Known as the heart of the Philippines, Iloilo stands at the crossroads of the orient and the developed Western world. Iloilo prides itself as the center of education, trade, commerce and tourism in the region. It occupies the southern and northeastern portion of Panay Island; to the north of it is the bountiful province of Capiz and the Jintotolo Channel; Guimaras Strait washes its southern shores; to the eastern side are the calm waters of Panay Gulf and Iloilo Strait; and the progressive province of Antique is its western neighbor. It lies in the midst of both; air and sea traffic.

Stretching 4,663 square kilometers, Iloilo is composed of 42 municipalities and a component city. It is sub-divided into five (5) congressional districts with topography varying from flat lands and rolling hills to mountain peaks and ranges, and roll down into flat plains towards the coastal towns. Iloilo City; the vibrant provincial capital, is a booming financial center.

It has a population of 2,110,588 Ilonggos (2007 NSO survey) for both province and city combined.

Hiligaynon is its local dialect. Filipino is the national language. English, the business language, is spoken widely.

Buses, jeepneys, public utility vans (PUV’s) ply the province while taxis and jeepneys ply the city’s well-developed system of road network. Fares are fixed except for taxicabs which have metered fare.

HISTORY

Iloilo is a junction over which Malay, Spanish, Chinese, American cultures met in the course of centuries. It has a colorful history that stretches back to a rich pre-colonial culture. According to oral tradition, 10 Datus from the kingdom of Bornay (now Borneo), escaped from the wrath of an oppressive regime of Sultan Makatunao in 1225 A.D. Finding a place where they can live in peace and harmony, the 10 Datus or chieftains namely Datu Puti (the leader), Datu Bangkaya, Datu Dumalugdog, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Lubay, Datu Paiburong, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Balensusa, Datu Paduhinog and Datu Dumangsol, along with their followers boarded on their balangays (vintas or boats) without knowing where to go, sailed across the Sulu Sea on their quest for the Promise Land. The group skirted to the southern tip of the island of Panay, towards the Siwaragan River in San Joaquin and proceeded to navigate inward to Andona creek just within the settlement of Sinugbuhan.

It was said that when Datu Puti along with his men landed in Sinugbuhan, they met an aeta who at that time was fishing along the riverbank. Through him the datus learned about Marikudo, his people and his territory. And through this fisherman, they sought an audience with the aeta chieftain. They sat down with the natives, negotiated and agreed to purchase the lowlands of Panay for their abode. According to the folk legend, they purchased the island from the Negritos led by their chieftain Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan, for a golden sadok or salakot (hat) and a manangyad (long golden necklace) that was said to have touched the ground. The datus then settled in the coastal areas of the island, while the natives agreed to live in the mountains and hinterlands.

Modern history of Iloilo began in 1566 when the Spaniards under Legaspi, established their first settlement in Oton. Christian doctrine was propagated, with the church as their house of worship and where Ilonggos acquired their first education. Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came to Panay and established a settlement in Ogtong (Oton) and later moved to La Villa de Arevalo (Arevalo) as the seat of Spanish power in 1581 with Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy encomiendero. Because of rampant Moro attacks, the Spaniards moved to a village close to the mouth of the river. Irong-Irong or Ilong-Ilong, the name shortened to “Iloilo” later became the capital of the province.

With its rapid economic growth, the port of Iloilo opened to world trade in 1855 and soon became the center of commerce and trade in the whole Visayas and Mindanao. It was in 1890 under Becera Law of 1899, the Ayuntamiento of Iloilo (City Government) was established by virtue of a Royal Decree of 1896 and was given the honor of having a Coat of Arms with the Inscription: “La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo.”

Iloilo City is made up of many small neighborhoods, full of old-world character, linked by narrow, winding streets. Students, foreigners and artists thrive in this area, attracted by its sense of history and cosmopolitan feel along with its trendy bars and good restaurants.

Peaceful climate, dynamism of the local economy, a better quality of life, rich pool of skilled workforce, and excellent accessibility and linkages are factors that help maintained Iloilo’s competitive position among other provinces in attracting investments and penetrating new markets for its products.

Iloilo is place of perfect balance. It is fast-paced yet relaxed. It offers more than the usual; culture and arts, destinations, cuisine, people. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always enjoy the warmest and friendliest welcome in the heart of the Philippines.

HOW TO GET TO ILOILO

One can travel from other parts of the country in style through NAIA in Manila as its premier gateway. Major airlines have roundtrip flights that take about an hour. The new Iloilo Airport located in Cabatuan is built in a wider and panoramic place with state-of-the-art computerized facilities. It is 18 kilometers from the city and is accessible by van, jeepney and taxi. The city is the province’s port of entry for sea transport. Considered the third largest port in the country after Manila and Cebu, it is just five (5) minutes away from the city’s main commercial district. Shipping lines have regular trips taking about 20 hours, 12 times weekly; 14 hours boat trip from Zamboanga or Cagayan twice a week; daily 12- hour trip to Cebu. Fastcrafts from Bacolod City take 50 minutes. A relatively short trip and you are magically transported to a totally different environment. If ever a place could truly be called a melting pot of people and cultures, Iloilo is it.

Iloilo's FIRSTS

Perhaps, no other province in the Philippines has a record of so many FIRSTS as the province of Iloilo. The following list is by no means complete:

According to Maragtas Legend, Iloilo is site of the Malayan landing in the Philippines;

The first school for boys in the Philippines was founded in Tigbauan by Jesuit priest and historian, Pedro Chirino in 1592;

The first place to put up a Christian church in the Philippines was Jalaud (Dumangas) in what is now the barangay of Ermita, in 1566;

Iloilo is the first city outside Manila to have a foreign business house, the Loney & Co. and the first foreign vice-consul;

The first province to export sugar to Australia;

The only province to have two cities during the Spanish time: Iloilo City, chartered in 1890, and Jaro in 1891;

The biggest province in the Philippines in population, income and economic production during the 19^th century;

The best and biggest producer of textile during the Spanish era;

The FIRST golf course in the Philippines, Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, 1907;

The FIRST department store in the country, Hoskyn & Co., established in 1877;

The FIRST commercial airline in the country was the Iloilo Negros Air Express Co. (INAEC);

The FIRST Philippine airline established after World War II was organized by Ilonggos, the FEATI;

The FIRST Provincial High School in the Philippines, the Iloilo National High School;

The FIRST Elementary School established under the Americans, Baluarte Elemenetary School in Molo;

The FIRST protestant barrio in the country, Calvario in Janiuay;

The FIRST Baptist Church in the Philippines, Jaro Evangelical Church;

The FIRST luxury liner in the Philippines, S/S Don Esteban of the De la Rama Line;

The FIRST city to have double-decked buses in the country;

The FIRST concrete road in the country, from Forbes Bridge to Jaro Plaza;

The FIRST city to have a car assembly plant, Taller Visayas de Strachan & McMurray. The car assembled was the “Deiler” in the 1920’s;

The FIRST province to produce many millionaires and the first city to have a millionaire’s row;

The FIRST Filipino to launch the propaganda movement in Spain, Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro also known as the greatest orator the Philippines’ ever produced;

The ONLY Filipino nominated to the Supreme Court of Cuba, Raymundo Melliza;

The FIRST Filipino to fly a passenger airplane, Jose Tinsay in 1925;

The FIRST doctor of laws from Oxford University, Melquiades Gamboa;

The FIRST doctor of philosophy in Political Science, Victorino Diamonon;

The FIRST Filipino doctor of Education, Pedro E. Y Rio;

The FIRST Filipino woman doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, Josette Garcia Portigo;

The FIRST Filipino doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology F. Landa Jocano;

The FIRST Filipino to win the Congressional Medal of Honor during the WWII, Captain Jose Calugas of Leon;

The FIRST Filipino soldier in the American Army to win medals of Heroism and Courage from the governments of United States, Belgium and France during the WWII, Sgt. Ramon Subejano of New Lucena;

The FIRST Filipino girl to be called the fastest woman in Asia, Inocencia Solis of New Lucena;

The FIRST most-be-medaled Filipino girl swimmer, Nancy Deano of Dingle;

The FIRST Filipino International Chess Grandmaster, Eugene Torre of Lapaz;

The FIRST guerilla unit to contact Gen. Douglas MacArthur and President Quezon by radio during World War II;

The FIRST Filipino lady to win a cultural heritage award, Magdalena Jalandoni of Jaro;

The FIRST Filipino feminist, Pura Villanueva Kalaw;

The FIRST modern custom house in the country;

The FIRST government constructed museum building in the Philippines, Museo Iloilo;

The FIRST successful compact farm in the country, Tagsing Buyo, Sta. Barbara;

The ONLY province to have an anti-biotic drug named after it, Ilozone and Ilotycin which are brands of erythromycin, a wonder drug developed from a soil sample from Iloilo;

The FIRST province to be declared a model in development planning by NEC/ USAID;

The number one food-producing province of the Philippines today;

The FIRST and ONLY town in the Philippines to produce four justices of the Supreme Court, seven senators, seven governors, and seven Cabinet Members;

The site of the FIRST International Research Center in the fishing industry in the country, SEAFDEC in Tigbauan;

The BIGGEST public school division in the country is the Division of Iloilo;

The FIRST city that initiated a free education program is the elementary schools by eliminating the matriculation fees and providing free school supplies and the elimination of tuition fees in public secondary schools.

REFERENCES

IIoilo’s FIRST, The Visayan Tribune, January 31, 1977;

Iloilo’s Artistic Cemeteries, Sumagaysay, Joy R., Iloilo Preview, Vol. 4, 2008;

Pasana-aw: Vignettes on Bisayan History and Culture, Funtecha, Henry F., Vol. 1, 2004;

mybeautifulILOILO

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A Fusion of Boom and Grandeur for ILOILO Dinagyang 2013

No comments:

Post a Comment

An Unforgettable Farm Experience at Pallon Farm in San Enrique

Search This Blog