8:20 AM
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
Posted in: Dinagyang Updates
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