The Pride of Iloilo: Dinagyang

I had been hearing raves about Dinagyang's performance, but it was only last year when I was able to watch the grand champion's winning act. Lucky us who live in Manila, Aliwan Fiesta brings all the regional champions in Quirino Grandstand. My reaction - it was stunning. I had goosebumps as I watched them. And that's the day I promised myself Im going to Iloilo again to witness Dinagyang, upclose.


Where we stayed: Ong Bun Pension House
The room for 3 that we got was quite new compared to what Ive seen online. For the price of only P1,100 per night, we got a spacious A/C room with hot and cold shower. The location is very convenient. It is walking distance to Robinson's Mall and SM. Centrally located between Freedom Plaza and Judging area 2. Street parties are also held in this street. And wifi connection is good, and free of charge!

spacious room at Ong Bun

with hot and cold shower

Where we ate: Tatoy's, Breakthrough, Afrique's, Deco's Batchoy, and JD Bakeshop

me: ate, san po galing yung mangga nyo, sa guimaras?
tindera: sa palengke po.
me: ah ok. ^_^

Other places of interest: Miag-ao Church, Jaro Church, UP Visayas




Where we watched Dinagyang's perfromances: Street!
The night prior the much awaited street dance competition, Fhel, Mec, Nel, Carla, and I checked out the venues. We found out there would be 4 judging areas this year. The nearest to Ong Bun were Freedom plaza (#1) and #2. We thought the performance is for everyone to see, pero hindi pala. Tickets are being sold for P1,000 each! Grabe lang, it's too commercialized. Since we weren't prepared to pay such amount, we chose to be early on the street. There would be judging of street dancing too as the performers parade from one judging area to the next.

Four judging areas? Hindi ba na-consider ng organizers na low energy na ang dancers on the 3rd and 4th judging areas? Specially the dancers are going to perform on the streets too, under the heat of the sun. Trust me, wala ng energy yung iba as they dance. Oh well, that's their call.

The crowd is controlled. Barricades and police officers are everywhere. I just noticed walang pasaway sa Iloilo. Pag bawal sa area na yun, bawal talaga. That's discipline.

and this boy got the best seat

Did we regret watching in the street? Definitely not. We had more fun here. Not to mention Carla and I found the perfect spot to watch the street dance.

carinderia by the street - perfect
may upuan, may red horse, may super sarap na bbq, and restroom

May harang and crowd control, pero deadma na yan once the performers passed by. We pretended to be one of the photographers.

more fun in the barricade Ü

Dinagyang 2012 Photos

in character si kuya!

Papa Piolo?

According to some locals, Dinagyang means merry making. It was like a battle won by the soldiers. As for the feathers, the babaylans used the bird's blood as sign of good luck before the soldiers go the battle.

rock on carla! \m/

one with the crowd

hi baby!

Some were still energetic and some were not. I understand everyone sacrificed for this event. It's really not about the prize, but the pride.

happy to be part of Dinagyang 2012

There are 13 groups who performed. The grand champion looked familiar because they wore the same costume last year.
Anyway, moving on..

ang hirap ma-achieve ang dinagyang pose!

We went back to the hotel tired but truly happy, specially we were only charged less than P100 in the carinderia. Winner!

haggardo versoza to the max!