Dinagyang bags Best Festival in LEAF Awards 2024

ILOILO City – This southern city has solidified its status as a home of the grandest festival in the Visayas after the Dinagyang Festival bagged the Best Festival (Visayas) during the prestigious 2nd Philippine LEAF Awards 2024.

Dinagyang Festival edged out other festivals in the Visayas under the “Outstanding Festival Category”, which included Bailes de Luces of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, and the Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan.

“Festivals are about people and community. So this award is for the people, the community. It is symbolic of what we can all achieve as one community as Ilonggos and as Filipinos,” said Elvert Bañares, co-artistic director of Dinagyang Festival.

Bañares received the award on behalf of Mayor Jerry Treñas and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) on Feb. 8 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

Dinagyang has consistently been among the most highly regarded festivals in the country for its lively tribe street dance performances, colorful customs, and vibrant atmosphere in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.

“Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is an exploration of faith and imagination – a creative way of expressing stories that entertain and inspire by way of synchronized dancing and dance drama. It calls for us to celebrate the gifts of life, talent, and the gift of community,” said Bañares.

“With all these, we always go back to our roots and our sources of inspiration: our Indigenous Peoples – the Ati and

Panay Bukidnon. Which is why IFFI produces documentaries about them, clearly manifesting their value to our culture and community,” he stressed.

Bañares added: “We also go back to the source of it all: the power that is of the universe. We are truly grateful to the Almighty.

The honor of this award belongs to every Ilonggo all over the world. Padayon lang kita tanan.”

Bañares thanked city officials and the IFFI for their continued efforts and support, including Mayor Jerry Treñas, Cong. Julienne Baronda, Uswag

Ilonggo party-list’s Rep. Jojo Ang, IFFI president Allan Ryan Tan, IFFI chairman Judgee Peña, IFFI executive director Joyce Clavesillas, and Artistic Director Eric Divingracia.

He also expressed his gratitude to the IFFI Board, the San Jose Parish Church and the Confradia, the Dinagyang Core Team, school principals and tribe managers, choreographers, and their artistic teams.

For his part, Mayor Treñas said he was grateful to the Leaf Awards for recognizing the Dinagyang Festival as the Best Festival (Visayas), and that he shared the triumph with all those who have contributed to its success.

“Let this trophy stand as a reminder of our commitment to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Iloilo, and as a symbol of the unity and pride that fuels our celebration,” said Treñas.

He also thanked Bañares for receiving the award on behalf of the Ilonggos.

“This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication, creativity, and passion that we have poured into making the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival a truly remarkable celebration,” said Treñas.

The city mayor added: “This victory belongs to all of us, as we come together to celebrate the spirit of Señor

Sto. Niño and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Iloilo. Let us continue to march forward with pride and unity, carrying the flame of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.”/