CEBU, Philippines - Tribu Salognon of the Jaro National High School defeated nine other contingents to successfully defend its champion’s crown in the 2017 Dinagyang Festival’s Ati Tribe Competition.
Salognon, taking home the P200,000 champion’s purse also won the following awards: Best in Street Dancing, Best in Performance, Best in Costume and Best in Music.
This contingent of the JNHS, during Dinagyang’s opening salvo, went home with the best in costume, best in discipline and best in overall performance awards, on top of the other special awards—best in costume designer, and best musical director.
The first runner-up in the Ati Tribe contest, taking P175,000 cash prize, was Tribu Panayanon of the Iloilo City National High School, which also won the Best in Choreography and Best Headdress awards.
The 2nd runner-up winner—with P150,000 prize—was Tribu Ilonganon of the Jalandoni National High School, which also got the Best in Discipline awards.
A total of ten “tribes” joined the Ati tribe competition on January 22, during the culmination of the 2017 Dinagyang Festival, and showed their respective interpretation of the many facets of Ilonggos’ devotion to the Señor Santo Niño, Sunday.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the success of the festival, now on its 49th year, was due to the support and cooperation from the community in partnership with the city government.
Ramon Cua Locsin, president of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc., said Dinagyang has “attracted tourists and investments, generated recognition for Iloilo and created partnerships, and most importantly has showcased Iloilo as a cultural space that supports diversity, craftsmanship, freedom of expression and artistic development.” (FREEMAN)