With five days left before the higlights of the Dinagyang Festival 2008, the city government along with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) assured their readiness for the big event. Continue Reading »

The Paraw regatta is a race among seafarers on colorful sailboats called Paraws in the straits between Guimaras Island and the city of Iloilo. The present-day paraw managed to maintain its original design from the sailboats of the first settlers from Borneo who were in search of a peaceful home in 1212 A.D. Surviving centuries, the paraws have become a vital part of the Filipino seafaring life.

The event is slated on February 17, 2008 in Villa Beach. The race starts in the morning.

To view pictures of the Paraw Regatta Festival 2007, click here

The Ati Competition is the highlight of the Dinagyang Festival. Here you’ll be able to witness Dinagyang Warriors painted synchronously dancing to fast paced drum beating. The events starts on the morning (8AM) of the fourth Sunday of January, which is on January 27, 2007.

The Kasadyahan Competition is one of the main highlights of the Dinagyang Festival. The dance competition features the history and culture of the various towns of Iloilo through a choreographed cultural dance with music produced from indigenous/tribal instruments such as drums, wind instruments made from bamboo, and the likes. It is held the day before the Dingyang Ati competition on January 26, 2007; AM.

17 contestants will each be displaying a fireworks display during the Fireworks Competition on January 26, 2008;7pm. The event will be held in the old airport in Mandurriao, so I suggest getting a spot in SM City Iloilo or the area behind Buto’t Balat and Nes and Tats Restaurant.

The fireworks contest will be joined by nine manufacturers from Bulacan, two each from Iloilo and Cebu, and one each from General Santos City, Batangas, Cavite and Dumaguete. Each entry will be alloted 10mins for their fireworks display.

The event is deemed to be the biggest fireworks display/competition in the whole Visayas.

The Dinagyang Fluvial Procession kicks off the festivities Friday Jan. 25 at 3pm enjoining at least 30 pump boats carrying the Sto. Niño for a parade along Iloilo River from Fort San Pedro to Aduana.

After which, a foot procession will start passing all the way through to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and going back to the San Jose Parish church at Plaza Libertad where a mass will be celebrated.

The lyre and drum and bugle competition is a new event for the Dinagyang Festival 2008. It will be held on January 25, 2008; 8am in the Freedom Grandstand.

12 schools will participate in the drum and lyre and drum and bugle competition namely:

Iloilo Central Elementary School, SPED-ISEC, Montes II Elementary School, Montes I Elementary School, Cubay Elementary School, Baluarte Elementary School, Jaro II Elementary School, Arevalo Elementary School, Guimbal Drum and Lyre and Rizal Elementary School. And two secondary schools, namely, Iloilo City National High School and Fort San Pedro National High School.

Presenting the beauties that will be vying for the prestigious title of Miss Dinagyang 2008. The pageant and coronation night will be on January 20, 2008;7pm at the freedom grandstand.

The following pictures were taken from the Miss Dinagyang Exhibit in the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Iloilo.

Charlene Joan Henarios Casten
21 years old, 1st runner-up in the Carabao-Carroza Fiesta 2006


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BACOLOD CITY—The Philippine government will declare the New Bacolod-Silay and Iloilo airports as international gateways open to flights from neighboring Asian countries, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said yesterday. Continue Reading »