The Dinagyang
Festival lives on

Thousands of revelers took part in the four-day Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City that was capped by various activities yesterday.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was with his wife, Elsa, as the guest of honor and Island Living Channel were among those present to witness the traditional affair, upon the invitation of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Notables seen joining the event were United States Ambassador Harry Thomas, Guam Consul Bayani Mangibin, the French Ambassador, and the ambassadors of the Czech Republic and South Africa. Publisher Joeboy Agriam, chairman of the 1st Iloilo International Film Festival, and Virgil Rupert Villarosa, regional head of a cellular phone service provider, were also present.

Highlights of the Dinagyang were the Ati-atihan Festival competition, fluvial parade, presentation of the Kasadyahan Festival of Bacolod City, and the Miss Dinagyang tilt.

Dinagyang began after Fr. Ambrocio Galindez, of a local parish, introduced the devotion to the Sto. Niño in November, 1967. In 1968, a replica of the original image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the parish of San Jose.

Fr. Galindez is recognized as the founder of the Dinagyang Festival.*