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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