23/10/2025
Tribu Paghidaet during the Grand launch of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival held at SM Southpoint, SM City Iloilo.
Sought-after Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is held every fourth of January every year. It commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers and the barter of Panay Island from the Ati natives. It began in 1967 with the arrival of the replica of Señor Santo Niño, the child saint, from Cebu at the San Jose Parish in Iloilo. Then, the festival was referred to as Iloilo Ati-Atihan resembling other festivals in nearby provinces.
The term ‘Dinagyang’ was first coined by Ilonggo broadcaster Pacifico Sudario, meaning ‘merrymaking’. To cement the festival, the name ‘Dinagyang’ was made official. Also, to promote local tourism, tribal competitions were put into play through the effort of the local government and the tourism office.
As of date, the festival is organized by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc., in strong collaboration with the Iloilo City Government.