Opening events begin Friday

The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2019 will be holding opening events on Friday, January 11, at the new Freedom Grandstand, located along Muelle Loney Street, which will feature the eight tribes participating in this year's Ati tribes competition, scheduled to take place on January 27.

The groups representing Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School, Salognon of Jaro National High School, Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña National High School, Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Hugponganon of Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School, Panay of Fort San Pedro National High School, and Barriohanon of Bo. Obrero National High School will be offering a sneak peek of the competition.

“I encourage everyone to witness the performances,” said Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. tribe committee chairperson Robert Alor. “Let us make the opening salvo livelier by cheering for your favorite tribes.” Last month, it was reported the main venue was on its last stages of construction.

The new Freedom Grandstand, which sits on 2,600 square meters and projected to have a seating capacity of 4,000, is expected to host the Ati-Ati tribes competition and the Kasadyahan contest, which is planned for January 26.

The new facility is also expected to include a multi-purpose building, which will house some city government offices.