Dinagyang 2024: A spectacular AweSM experience
Dinagyang Festival, dubbed as the best festival in the country, was an AweSM celebration at SM City Iloilo.
SM City Iloilo transformed into the heartbeat of the festivities, which complemented the grand celebrations in partnership with the Iloilo City Government.
With its AweSM Iloilo 2024 campaign, SM City Iloilo was the core venue of activities that celebrate Iloilo. The Grand Iloilo Food Festival and Batchoy Festival were culinary attractions that brought Ilonggos and tourists together to taste a showcase of a wide variety of the most celebrated Ilonggo food, making the mall a culinary focal point complementing Iloilo City’s distinction as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The Dinagyang Festival Costumes Exhibit was a showcase of Ilonggo craftsmanship and ingenuity as it featured the intricately-made costumes of the Dinagyang tribes. The One Visayas Creative Expo 2024 a joint activity of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas and the Regional Development Council 6, showcased the best products, destinations, and festivals of Regions 6, 7 and 8, was a treat for visitors, being dubbed as the biggest Expo in the Visayas.
The Dinagyang Frenzy was definitely all over the mall as shoppers get to Meet and Greet with Dinagyang Warriors and also witness Dinagyang Warriors Parade. The two-day Viva Music Festival with Ron Poe and JK Labajo was a blast for partygoers who enjoyed the great music and entertainment.
The Tech and Creators Fair was an AweSM gathering that added color to the festival while the Drones and Fireworks Display gathered thousands of Ilonggos and visitors at the mall parking lot and witness the night skies light up for the spectacle, as earlier during that night, the Dinagyang ILOmination, featuring warriors in their illuminated costumes and props, had a grand launch at SM City Iloilo.
Visitors and tourists were never short of Dinagyang memories and keepsakes as SM City Iloilo is a haven of pasalubongs in different areas in the mall.
From T-shirts to Dinagyang dolls, and collectible mugs, memories of the celebration were available at Fiesta Favorite Souvenirs, which also offers several vestiges of varied and exciting designs.
SM City Iloilo is committed to promote sustainability by providing local artisans a venue and reach a wider audience.
Meanwhile, Houses that Sugar Built — An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes book by Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhan Doran, had a successful launch at the Molo Mansion on Jan. 27, 2024.
The book, with over 250 pages of photos and stories that takes the readers back during the prime of these houses, celebrates the legacy of the three main sugar-producing provinces in the Philippines — Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Pampanga.
The launch was attended by the families and heirs of the owners of these houses along with invited guests led by Raisa Treñas-Chu, representing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
The Filipino Fashion Fair 2024 exhibit at the Molo Mansion and a fashion show, added color to the event featuring the designs of Arnel Papa, Jor-el Espina, Lin-ay by Binky Pitogo, Louis Claparols, Orias by Vin Orias, PQLA by Puey Quiñones, Satren and Zarah Juan.
In commemoration of National Autism Consciousness Week, which is celebrated every third week of January, an event with the partnership of SM Cares, SM City Iloilo and the Autism Society of the Philippines Iloilo Chapter, was held at Park Inn Iloilo. Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan graced the event.
It was indeed one for the books for the revelers as they experience the AweSM heart and soul of Iloilo.*