Iloilo girds for 2013 Dinagyang Festival

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo City trumpeted its readiness to stage the 2013 Dinagyang Festival with its official launching on Monday, highlighted by the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the triumvirate festival organizers.
The triumvirate is composed of the Iloilo City government, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. that represents the private sector and the San Jose Placer of the San Jose Parish for the religious sector.

The festival, short of five years for its golden celebration, is a showcase of a successful public private partnership (PPP) even before the scheme was made popular by the current administration, according to Iloilo City Tourism and Development Officer Benito Jimena.
IDFI president Ramon Cua-Locsin, meanwhile credited the resounding success of the PPP to the “corporate social responsibility of the business community, involvement of civic and religious organizations, creativity of schools and cultural organizations and the volunteerism of the community.”
“We assure you of our commitment to make Dinagyang 2013 a great event. We will do the best we can to open to new heights of success this most famous festival in our country. Without doubt IDFI is ready for Dinagyang 2013,” he said.
Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, OSA of the San Jose Parish, said that he looked forward to intensify the religious significance of the festival and emphasized that the success of the event was due to the guidance of the Lord.
The annual festival, which is entering its 45th year, is held every fourth Sunday of January in honor of Senor Santo Nino.
Its highlights will be held on Jan. 25-27, 2013 starting with the Fluvial Procession on the 25th, a showcase of the best festivals in Western Visayas on the 26th and the Ati-ati tribe competition on the 27th.