Dinagyang Festival is an annual religious festival of Iloilo City in honor of the Sto Niño (Holy Child) and the indigenous culture of the Panayanons. The festival is an inspired version of Ati-Atihan which features colorful parade coupled with the beat of drums .
DInagyang Festival is an annual celebration which is held on the fourth weekend of January (24-26). The festival’s highlights includes Ati-Atihan Competition, Kasadyahan Festival, the Foot and Fluvial procession and the religious Sadsador street dance.
Dinagyang is an Ilonggo term for revelry or merrymaking which was coined in 1977 by Ilonggo writer/broadcaster Pacifico Sudario to describe the riotous celebration. Prior to this, Dinagyang was labeled “Iloilo Ati-Atihan” to differentiate it from other Ati-Atihan festivals.
In 1967, a replica of the image sculpture of Señor Santo Niño was brought from Cebu by the San Jose Church Parish in Iloilo City. Accompanied by devotees from Cebu, the image was enthusiastically received at the Mandurriao Airport by the people of Iloilo.
Dinagyang Festival commemorates the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis or Aetas. Panay Island is divided into four provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.
Here are lists of official activities for Dinagyang festival 2014 courtesy of dinagyangsailoilo.com as official website.
