2012 Dinagyang Festival tribes to have first public appearance on Dec. 16

ILOILO CITY, Nov 17 -– Major streets of this city will be filled with sound of drumbeats as tribes joining the 2012 Dinagyang Festival 2012 set December 16 for their “Pamukaw” which is their way of rousing public interest of the upcoming celebration.

Organizers of the festival — the San Jose Parish Church, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. and the city government here, slated January 13, 2012 for the opening salvo.

Twelve tribes have already signified their intention to join the Ati-ati competition of the 2012 Dinagyang Festival, according to the City Tourism and Development Office.

Tribes namely Pan-ay, Paghidaet, Salognon, Ilonganon, Atub-atub, Aninipay, Pag-asa, Molave, Bantu, Angola and Milagrosa have already submitted their documents with the festival organizer while Tribu Lunok is yet to tender its documents.

Next year’s festival has for its theme, "Beyond Awards, A Culture of Excellence." Its highlights are slated January 21-22, 2012.

Apart from a Hall of Famer as the Best Tourism Event, the 2011 Dinagyang recently garnered a silver award in the Project Award category of the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) Korea on October 27 to 31.

The 2011 festival edition also qualified for site validation by the Galing Pook Awards Foundation.

The Dinagyang Festival mirrors the way of life of Ilonggos as early as the pre-war period. It is an annual celebration in honor of Senor Sto. Nino. (PNA)

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Dinagyang Festival braces for changes in 2012

CHANGES will be made in the 2012 Dinagyang Festival to make it more spectacular to attract more guests and tourists, said Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

In a launching of the 2012 festival at SM City here last November 11, 2011, Mabilog led the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Fr. Achilles Secio of the San Jose Parish and Ramon Cua Locsin, chairman of Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc.

Mabilog said the changes will include the Sto. Niño image of the Parish of Sto. Niño de Arevalo to meet and greet the arrival of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.

Another major change includes the staging of the first performance at the Iloilo Sports Complex that will accommodate more than 30,000 people.

The sports complex, front of Western Institute of Iloilo, Iloilo Provincial Capitol and the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand will be used to stage performances.

Mabilog said there will be 13 Ati-atihan tribes to vie for honors during the final day of the festival. Highlights of the Dinagyang Festival is slated on January 21-22, 2012. (Lydia C. Pendon)

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Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup to judge Iloilo Dinagyang 2012

The Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2012 will likely have as judges Bb. Pilipinas beauties who won in international competitions.

This was announced by Alex G. Soncio, the over-all chairman of the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2012 in a recent meeting of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc.’s working committees.

Soncio said they will invite 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj and 2011 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup.

Soncio has ABS-CBN as co-presenter in the 2012 search for the city’s Ambassadress of Goodwill.

Already, 11 beauties have been chosen to vie for the title in a ceremony slated January 18 at the Central Philippine University gym.

The candidates who made their courtesy call before Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog last week were formally presented to the public and yesterday afternoon at the SM City activity center.

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Iloilo Sports Complex venue of Dinagyang 2012 competition

By MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN

It’s final. The “grand performance” of the competing tribes for the Dinagyang Festival 2012 will be witnessed at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. has approved the proposal of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) to use the sports complex as the final judging area.

Yesterday afternoon, the IDFI through its President Ramon Cua Locsin together with City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena had presented to the governor their proposed plan on how to protect the facility especially the rubberized track oval, as well as the painted volleyball and basketball courts against possible damage.

On the same day, the governor with the IDFI officials personally visited the Iloilo Sports Complex for inspection.

As agreed, the competing tribes will perform on the cemented floor being used as basketball and volleyball courts which is in front of the stage. Also, the foundation will be placing plywood and fences on some parts of rubberized oval which will be included on the 40X 70 performance area needed by the performing tribes. The governor also advised the IDFI to secure the drainage near the basketball and volleyball courts against possible incidents since it is only covered by removable grills.

Defensor wants also to make the field off-limits to viewers, who will just remain seated on the grandstand. The governor said he is open to the said as long as the IDFI and the city government will take good care of the facility.

“All cost needed for the repair and rehabilitation including the safety of all the participants will be shouldered by the foundation. The provincial government will not spend any centavo on the rehabilitation pertaining to the preparation for the festival,” said Defensor.

Meanwhile, Jimena said one of the main reasons why they want to use the sports complex as the final judging area is that it can accommodate more spectators. He said Dinagyang Festival is known as one of the Best Tourism Events in the country that has been attracting millions of viewers around the world.

Jimena said sports complex can accommodate almost 25,000 people while the Freedom Grandstand could only accommodate around 5,000 persons.

“We will obey the agreement we both greed with the governor. We promised the governor that we will take care and be responsible to any damage,” Jimena said.

JUDGING AREAS

The Iloilo Sports Complex will serve as Judging Area No. 1, instead of the usual Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. The Holy Mass that is being held before the Ati-ati competition will be at the complex also, instead of the San Jose Parish Church.

The Judging Area No. 2 will be in front of the St. Clements Church on Luna Street, La Paz district; Judging Area No. 3 will be near the old Capitol building while Judging Area No. 4 will be at the Freedom grandstand.

Jimena said other common activities like food festival and live bands within the downtown area will remain as in the original plan.

Dinagyang 2012 is set on January 21-22 with the theme “Beyond Awards, a Culture of Excellence.”*

iloilonewstoday.com

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Aquino may not attend Dinagyang 2012

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III may not make it for the Dinagyang Festival in January 21-22, 2012 as his schedule is already booked for different advanced appointments.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, however, is unfazed, saying he is doing his best to have Aquino during the festival and inaugurate at least four major city infrastructure projects.

The projects include the new Iloilo City Hall, City Community College, as well as the Esplanade and the Lanit relocation site for informal settlers.

The seven-storey new city hall was built at almost P700 million; the school at P25 million, donated by businessman Edgar Sia of Mang Inasal; the Esplanade project initiated by Senator Franklin Drilon was at P48 million; and the housing project for more than 2,000 displaced informal settler-families at the Lanit relocation site in Jaro district was at P244 million.

Mabilog said the city is a recipient of P144 million housing grant from the National Housing Authority and P100 million from the Office of the President.

Another P100 million grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development core shelter program will house another 1,000 squatter families.

Meanwhile, the Dinagyang Festival 2012 will have other confirmed guests to include the Ambassadors of the United States and South Africa, officials of Daly City, California, USA, Senators Antonio Trillanes and Franklin M. Drilon, among others. (Lydia C. Pendon)

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Dinagyang 2012 Grand Performance at the Iloilo Sports Complex

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has approved the proposal of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) to place the ‘Grand Performance’ of all the competing tribes at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district here.


On Thursday afternoon, the IDFI, through its president, Ramon Cua Locsin, together with City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena, presented to the governor their plan on how to protect the facility, especially the rubberized track oval as well as the painted volleyball and basketball courts against possible damage.

The governor, together with the IDFI officials, went to the Iloilo Sports Complex for a site visit.


As agreed upon, the competing tribes will perform on the cemented floor reserved for basketball and volleyball courts, which is in front of the stage.
Also, the foundation will be placing plywood and fences on some parts of the rubberized oval which will be included on the 40X70 performance area needed by the performing tribes.


The governor also advised the IDFI to secure the drainage near the basketball and volleyball courts against possible incidents since it is only covered by removable grills.

Defensor also wants to make off-limits viewers on the field and just remain seated on the grandstand.

He said he is open on this idea as long as the IDFI and the city government will take good care of the facility.

Jimena said one of the main reasons why they want to change the venue is to accommodate more spectators.

He also said the Dinagyang Festival, which is one of the best tourism events in the country, has been an attraction to million of viewers around the world.
With the new venue, Jimena said the sports complex can accommodate almost 25,000 people. The Freedom Grandstand could only accommodate around 5,000 persons.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Sports Complex will serve as Judging Area No. 1, instead of the usual Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

The Holy Mass that is held before the Ati-Ati competition will also be in the sports complex, instead of the San Jose Parish Church.

Judging Area No. 2 will be in front of the St. Clements Church on Luna Street, La Paz District; Judging Area No. 3 will be near the old Capitol building while Judging Area No. 4 will be at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

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Media Accreditation Guideline for Dinagyang Festival 2012

A MEDIA accreditation guideline for Dinagyang Festival 2012 coverage has been released by the Publicity and Media Relations Group of Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI).

Media ID will only be issued to active media practitioner affiliated with established/legitimate media organization/agency/associations; active photographers who are members of legitimate photographic associations and bloggers with active and updated blog sites.

Accreditation forms shall be accomplished properly with 2 1x1 pictures, duly signed by the head of the agency/organization.

Media groups/organizations based outside of Iloilo shall secure endorsement of their request for Media Accreditation from the city or provincial tourism office in their respective areas.

Bloggers shall indicate their blog sites upon application subject to verification by the committee in-charge.

Only those with active and updated blog sites can qualify for the accreditation.

Accomplished Accreditation forms shall be submitted on or before January 10, 2012.

Local applicants may submit their forms at the Iloilo City Hall Public Information Office, Iloilo City Hall, 3rd floor, Robinson’s Place, Iloilo City.

Those outside of Iloilo may send their forms through email at: pearl376@yahoo.com.

A registration fee of P500.00 is required for photographers. Bloggers outside of Iloilo are also required to pay the similar amount. Payment shall be made during the release of IDs on January 20, 2012 at the conference room of the Philippine Red Cross, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City.

A color code for Media ID shall be assigned to indicate access to the media space in a specific performance area. Please be guided accordingly.

The guideline was issued by Perla Lena, Head of Publicity and Media Relations Group and noted by IDFI President Ramon Cua Locsin.

Source: Iloilo Today

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2012 Dinagyang Festival to focus more on religiosity

THE Dinagyang Festival in 2012 will not just give pomp, pageantry and colors but also emphasis on religiosity, particularly on the Ilonggos’ veneration of the patron saint Señor Santo Niño.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who met with Agustinian priests of Arevalo and San Jose parishes, said major changes will be made on the religious events of the festival. The Santo Niño in Arevalo church will be given more focus, he added.

The Arevalo church hosts the third oldest Santo Niño image in the entire country and was seldom given honor during the festival.

Mabilog said the image will be brought from the Arevalo church to San Jose church, where it will stay for a few days until the arrival of the Santo Niño de Cebu.

The image from Cebu was brought to Iloilo four days before the Dinagyang festival proper and devotees flock to San Jose church to pay homage to the Sto. Niño.

Mabilog said the historical Arevalo image will be given due recognition during the Dinagyang festival in 2012 as an important religious and historical icon.

Sun Star

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Total gun ban during Dinagyang 2012, Chinese New Year

Iloilo city police office will recommend to CSupt. Cipriano Querol Jr., chief of PNP regional office in Western Visayas a total gun ban during the Dinagyang Festival and Chinese New year next month.

Querol, on the other hand, will recommend to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and PNP chief Gen. Nicanor Bartolome, the total gun ban in this city for the period January 15-30, 2012 in time for the Dinagyang Festival and Chinese New Year celebration.

Dinagyang 2012 will start it first activity on Friday, December 16, 2011 through a “Pamukaw” parade to be participated by ati-atihan and kasadyahan groups for a month-long celebration. The festival highlights will be on January 21-22, 2012 with more than one million persons expected to see the festival performances in the city.

The Chinese New Year, on the other hand, is celebrated January 23, 2012 but the Iloilo celebration will fall on January 26, 2012.

Both activities boast of the presence of several dignitaries and diplomats, top government officials and domestic and foreign tourists.

Source: Iloilo Today

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Iloilo city eyes int’l flights for Dinagyang 2012

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog will be seeking a meeting with the Gokongweis of Cebu Pacific Air soon to workout a direct international flight schedule from Hongkong to Iloilo Airport and back in time for the Dinagyang Festival 2012 .

Mabilog said the heavy passenger traffic at the Iloilo airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, especially during the Christmas holidays until the month of February deemed it necessary to develop Iloilo and absorb international flights.

As it is, the Iloilo Airport of international standards has no international flights to boast of as tourists prefer to take the Aklan and Caticlan airports to serve the Chinese, Japanese and Korean passengers to go to Boracay Island.

Mabilog said the Iloilo airport is ready and available for foreign passengers, overseas Filipino overseas contract workers (OCWs) and balikbayans who wish to have a vacation and enjoy the Dinagyang festivities.

The city mayor said the initial target of direct flights will be Hongkong-Iloilo-Hongkong to serve the Chinese passengers and OCWs. Eventually, direct flights to China and Korea will be included in the airlines schedule.

The city tourism and development office has reported the increased arrivals of visitors from Hongkong, China and Korea in the past year to enjoy the festivities and other special events of the city.

Dinagyang Festival celebrated in the last week of January is a premier tourist attraction in the city aside from beaches and natural wonders of nearby Guimaras Island and northern Iloilo, old churches in southern Iloilo and the unique food preparations of the city.

Mabilog said a passenger-traveller from Iloilo will save much of resources if there is a direct international flight here instead of going to Manila and Cebu for their flights.

The city mayor is also eyeing cooperation of the local travel and tours industry group to participate in booking of passengers for charter or regular international flights.

Source: Iloilo Today

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US envoy to witness Dinagyang Festival

UNITED States Ambassador the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. vowed to witness the Dinagyang Festival 2012 in Iloilo City and enjoy the premier tourism event in the Philippines with the Ilonggos.

Thomas, during a dinner hosted by the City Government, said Iloilo is full of festivities that attract tourists year round.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has invited Thomas to see the city’s biggest tourist attraction in January next year.

Thomas also announced continued support to the Aquino administration in its fight against corruption and poverty through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) with mission director Gloria Steele, who joined him in his first visit to Iloilo on June 9 to 10, 2011.

The US envoy said the Philippines and his country are partners and his government is aligned with the programs of President Benigno Aquino III.

Thomas lauded the Philippines for the entry of the $434 million or about P20 billion compact projects granted by a US-run aid agency that aims to reduce poverty in the country through economic growth.

The Philippine government and its implementing entity, Millennium Challenge Account Philippines (MCA), announced the entry into force of the $434 million grant last week.

Thomas lauded the Government of the Philippines, Department of Finance, MCA-Philippines, and “our very own MCC for their tremendous work to successfully and rapidly launch the MCC compact program with clear country ownership and results.”

The MCC compact bankrolls three major projects in the country such as $54.3 million for redesign and computerization of key business processes within the Department of Finance and Bureau of Internal Revenue to increase the efficiency, sustainability and integrity of revenue collection that also includes Iloilo City; $120 million for the expansion of Kalahi-CIDSS, a community-based rural development program spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that focuses on small-scale infrastructure and related services to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the countryside especially in the province of Iloilo; and $214.4 million for the construction and rehabilitation of the 220-kilometer Samar Road that passes through 15 municipalities in Samar Island.

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Dinagyang Festival to perform in New York

Dinagyang Festival contingent will perform in Philippine Independence Day Parade in Madison Avenue, New York.
Dubbed as Philippines’ “Queen of Festivals”, Dinagyang was invited by Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) together with Vice President Jejomar Binay and other luminaries to grace the annual event on June 5.

Vice President Binay will be the Guest of Honor of the Philippine Independence Day Parade, while the more than 30-some-odd-person Dinagyang Festival contingent will be its main feature and that of the Cultural Festival, two of the three major events held on the same day of the months-long, multi-event 113th commemoration of Philippine Independence. Organized, executed, directed and presented by the Philippine Independence Day Council in New York, the commemoration, now on its 22nd year, has enjoyed the proud reputation among Filipinos and their friends worldwide of being the largest celebration of Philippine Independence outside of the Philippines for the last 17 years.

Philippine Independence Day Parade has become the largest outdoor gathering of Filipinos in the Diaspora. In 2008 the singing sensation Charice was the main feature of the Cultural Festival; and last year, New York Police Department (NYPD) official estimates of the crowd of participants, onlookers and others at Philippine Independence Day was 70,000 persons.

Some of those who have also been invited by PIDCI to Philippine Independence Day are, from the Philippine Government, Congressman and No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Congressmen Rufus and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. Congressman Jerry P. Treñas of the lone district of Iloilo, Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Gerundio Madueno, Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Escalante Mabilog, Tourism Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., and Ambassador to the U.N. Libran N. Cabactulan.
From the US Government: US Senators from New York Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, N.Y. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, N.Y. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, among others.

Source: Iloilo Today

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