Dinagyang Festival, then and now

ILOILO City ,Philippines  – Dinagyang, Iloilo City’s version of the ati-atihan festival, widely celebrated not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It is already known worldwide due to the remarkable performance and attires of various participating tribes. Many people, both local and foreign, flock to the city of Iloilo every third Sunday of January to witness the celebration. But what is really Dinagyang and how did it start? 

An Ilonggo term for revelry or merrymaking, Dinagyang was coined in 1977 by Ilonggo writer/broadcaster Pacifico Sudario to describe the riotous celebration. However, prior to this, Dinagyang was labeled as “Iloilo Ati-Atihan” to differentiate it from other ati-atihan festivals.

It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo (Aklan), but it is definitely more impressive in choreography and more striking in terms of the various attires worn by participating tribes which reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.

Devotion to Señor Sto. Niño

Iloilo Ati-Atihan started way back in 1967 when a replica of the image of Señor Santo Niño was first brought from Cebu by the San Jose Parish in Iloilo City. In 1969, the Ati-Atihan contest became a part of the cultural aspect of the celebration with only four tribes participating. Since then, the celebration has progressed into a more colorful and pompous affair that includes the participation of more tribes and groups.

In 1974, the Dinagyang Festival played a vital role in the “Operation Balikbayan” program of the then Ministry of Tourism when some of the tribes provided tourists with a unique form of cultural entertainment.

Street revelry and audience participation were encouraged in 1976. From mere spectators, the 1976 festivities offered people their first chance to wildly gyrate in the streets, shed off inhibitions and forget their cares, pressures and vexations in daily life.

In 1977, an authentic Ati tribe from the mountains of Barotac Viejo was invited by the Dinagyang Organizers and by the Regional Association of National Government Executives to perform and display their native dances.

Since 1978, the Dinagyang Festival has evolved into a big religious and cultural activity supported by both the government and the private sectors. It now features cultural presentations, sports competitions and various side events.

The festival was likewise adjudged the country’s tourism event of the year by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008.

The Barter Of Panay

Although the Dinagyang Festival focuses on the Sto. Niño, Ati-Atihan traces its roots to the barter or purchase of Panay Island by the 10 Bornean datus from Negrito King Marikudo during the first half of the 13th Century in Sinugbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Injustice, tyranny, and cruelty drove the 10 datus of Borneo to flee from their country. Escaping the oppressive rule of the despotic Sultan Makatunao, they silently and secretly boarded their binidays (boats)   and sailed along the coasts of Paragua (Palawan). In the course of their northward journey, they sighted the island of Panay and steered their boats towards it until they reached the mouth of Sirwagan River north of the hamlet of Sinugbuhan which was the abode of King Marikudo. There they saw a Negrito fishing in the creek and from him, they learned about Marikudo, his kingdom and his people.

The Borneans gained audience with Marikudo, who first acted with caution and restraint having had undesirable experiences with Moro pirates. Datu Puti, however, expressed his desire to befriend the natives and their intention to settle in the land permanently, possibly at the site of Marikudo’s settlement.

The offer interested Marikudo who gathered his men to discuss the terms of the offer and ordered them to prepare a feast. When everything was ready, a banquet was held in which the Borneans and the natives danced their “sinulog” and displayed their “dinapay” to the accompaniment of their “lantoy” and “tipano” made of light bamboo. They beat their drums and played on their “mangmang” , “gurong-gurong” and “subling”. In return, the Negritos danced their “urokoy” and their “undok-undok”.

When the feast was over, Marikudo’s elders and the 10 datus sat down to discuss the terms of the purchase. The famous barter was then held at Embidayan at the seashore near the mouth of the Sinugbuhan River, in the neighborhood of what is now the Tiolas-Dao inter-provincial road.

The new settlers moved in three days after the barter, with the exception of Datu Paiburong and his wife and followers, who settled separately in a place now called Lang in Duenas, Iloilo.

From Sinugbuhan, the datus spread out to different places of Madia-as, the name they submitted for Aninipay (Panay). To Datu Sumakwel was assigned Hamtik (Antique); Datu Bangkaya, Aklan; and Datu Paiburong, Irong-Irong (Iloilo). Datu Puti returned to Borneo and fought Datu Makatunao.

Marikudo’s territory costs one golden “saduk”, a sort of helmet or broad-rimmed hat which gives protection to the face from sun and rain; and one golden necklace which Marikudo’s wife Maniwantiwan preferred over the gold basin Datu Puti first offered.

There are contentions, however, that the price was not a golden “saduk” but rather a “saduk” full of gold. Followers of this point of view say that it was rather impractical for the Borneans to be wearing a golden hat which was heavy.

Today’s Celebration

In every year of the Dinagyang celebration, innovations have been implemented by the organizers to satisfy the demand of the public, as well as to produce outstanding performances and presentations.

Until the 1980s, the celebration were participated by the tribes composed of the people from the barangays. 1990s marked the invasion of the tribes coming from the different schools here in Iloilo that made the organizers decide to create a category for barangays, separate from that of the tribes composed of school children.

This year, there are 13 participating tribes to perform during the highlight on January 22, 2012. These tribes are Tribu Paghidaet, Buntatalan-on, Salognon, Lunok, Milagrosa, Pag asa, Ilonganon, Molave, Atub-atub, Aninipay, Pan-ay, Angola, and Tribu Bantu.

Awards for the said competition is categorized into three: the major awards, minor awards and the opening salvo awards which is based during January 13, 2012 performance. For the major awards, the champion will receive P150,000.00; 1stRunner Up , P80,000.00; 2nd Runner Up, P60,000.00; 3rd Runner Up, P40,000.00; and 4th Runner Up will receive P30,000.00. For the minor awards, Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, Best in Music and Best in Costume will receive P10,000.00 each and the Best in Street Dancing  will receive P20,000.00

There are also some special awards to be given to the Best Choreographer – P10,000.00, Best in Discipline – P10,000.00, Best Costume – P5,000.00, Best Costume Designer – P5,000.00, Best Headdress – P5,000.00, and Best Musical Director – P5,000.00. For the Opening Salvo Awards, the tribe who will be judged as Best in Over-all Performance – P20,000.00, Best in Discipline – P15,000.00 and Best Costume – P15,000.00.

There were also some events to highlight the Dinagyang week-long celebration. These include the Miss Dinagyang, sports events and food fests featuring Ilonggo food, among others.