ShareThisILOILO CITY – Just after its Ati-Ati tribes competitions ended last Sunday, the entire city of Iloilo virtually went wild.
Thousands of Dinagyang revelers, both domestic and foreign tourists, robbed elbows while strolling to and fro on the stretch of Bonifacio Drive toward Iznart, JM Basa up to the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and Plaza Libertad in front of San Jose Parish church.
Visitors and revelers were seen in droves in other major city thoroughfares running parallel to these streets like Valeria, Quezon and portions of Delgado in the city proper and Ledesma along Robinsons Place and areas around the Central Market and Supermarket area.
Major streets in the heart of the city were closed to vehicular traffic, paving the way for the merrymaking activities early this afternoon.
The favorable weather condition prevailing apart from the partly cloudy skies kept the city of Iloilo conducive for merrymakers and connoisseurs feasting on arrays of kiosks located in both sides of the streets in the heart of the city.
Visitors were also treated with the best of Ilonggo delicacies at the Food Festival catered by members of the Iloilo Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Association along portions of Delgado, Valeria and Solis Streets surrounding Amigo Terrace Hotel, Marymart and SM malls with entertaining bands.
Sound systems were installed in various street corners in the city where young revelers converged and danced to the deafening sound of music, to the headache of few residents living nearby who complained to tone down the sounds.
Police authorities, however, said the operation of these sound systems will only be until 10 p.m. as a way to control the crowd.
Since Friday evening, hordes of revelers walked their way to the city proper for merriment and enjoyment until wee hours in the morning.
Fortunately, there were no major untoward incidents reported apart from several cases of snatching, pickpocket and vagrancies that were recorded in the blotter of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Observers said that maximum police visibility throughout the city contributed to the peaceful and orderly crowd during the past three days, particularly during the Kasadyahan contest and the Ati-Ati tribe competitions conducted on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
A total gun ban that included the bringing of bladed weapons was implemented throughout the city with the deployment of thousands of peace keepers that included multiplier force and contingents from the Philippine Army (PA) to enforce the directive of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) regional director Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr.
The most awaited highlight of 2011 Dinagyang Festival, the Ati-Ati tribes competition, took off amid fair weather condition prevailing throughout this metropolis.
The official start of the Ati-Ati tribes competition was preceded by an early morning mass held at the San Jose Parish church in honor of the holy Child Senor Sto. Nino.
This was followed by the opening program at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand where the city chief executive Jed Patrick Mabilog took time out in welcoming foreign dignitaries, national political figures from Manila and local officials in the city and province of Iloilo and guests before the jampack crowd of spectators.
Prior to Mabilog’s brief speech, former city mayor now representative of Iloilo City lone district Cong. Jerry P. Trenas and Sen. Franklin Drilon also took opportunity in welcoming and acknowledging the presence of national and foreign dignitaries and visitors to the biggest tourism and world renowned Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City highlighted Sunday by the tribes competitions.
This year’s Ati-Ati tribes contest has 14 competing tribes vying for top honors which simultaneously performed in four judging areas in the city.
Prizes at stakes are as follows: champion will receive P150,000; first runner-up -P80,000; second runner-up -P60,000; third runner-up -P40,000; and fourth runner-up -P30,000.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) peace keepers were augmented by police forces from Camp Delgado’s Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6).
Members of the multiplier force as well as contingents from the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been deployed in various strategic areas throughout the metropolis to secure the safety of foreign guests, domestic visitors and spectators.