Iloilo DINAGYANG 2009

Energy soars as the thundering roars of drums and cheers of 'Hala Biras' filled the street of Iloilo... It's Dinagyang.... The Best Tourism Event there is in the Philippines...

Dinagyang is considered as Iloilo's most prominent tourist magnet. Aside from the province's Centuries old Historic Churches, local delicacies, ancestral buildings and friendly people, Iloilo is also known to be one of the Philippines' festival Countries. Iloilo's Dinagyang, Like Cebu's Sinulog and Kalibo's Ati-atihan is a showcase of the unique mixture of the Iloilo's Hispanic and Native Culture. Stories of the past and of how the city became dedicated to Christianity is expressed by dances and ancient music of drums and lyres. Each warrior-dancers stomp their feet and cheer "Viva Senior Santo Nino" that means Long Live the Child Jesus and "Hala Bira" meaning Keep it going or Come On.

And who made it big this year?

Champion: Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National high School
1st: Tribu Bola-Bola of Iloilo National High School
2nd: Tribu Ilonganon of Jlandoni National High School
3rd: Tribu Silak of Molo National High School
4th: Tribu Himal-us from the province of Guimaras

The streets of Iloilo were filled with a great number of spectators both local and foreign. Aside from the Festival itself, many activities await guests and tourists... the city teems with life and vibrant colors. So If you missed Dinagyang this year...There will always be next year... And expect that Dinagyang well be even much better than how it has been the year before so you should totally come back again and again and again as if it was first time. 

Happy Dinagyang Season!!!

The Dinagyang Festival Countdown and Events

It's January...The festival season of Iloilo... and that means that before the month ends, we will be experiencing a wave of fun and excitement...

This January 25, 2009, the streets of Iloilo will once again be filled with lively colors as the 'Best Tourism Event' in the country comes to life... Tourist from all over the Philippines and in some parts of the world gather in the streets of Iloilo City to witness groups or 'Tribu' of dancers performing in the streets in their colorful costumes. Dinagyang is celebrated to commemorate the coming of Christianity in the Island of Panay. 

Here is the final list of competing 'Ati' tribes that will grace the streets of Iloilo City this Dinagyang Season...

1. Tribu Paghidaet
2. Tribu Ilonganon
3. Ang Taga Jaro
4. Tribu Silak
5. Tribu Atub-Atub
6. Tribu Panagat ( formerly Tribu Parianon)
7. Tribu Pag-asa
8. Tribu Pana-ad
9. Tribu Molave
10. Tribu Aninipay
11. Tribu Milagrosa (formerly Tribu Baryohanon)
12. Tribu Bantu
13. Tribu Hamili
14. Tribu Angola
15. Tribu Himala
16. Tribu Himal- us
17. Tribu Bola- Bola

So who will fill the streets with winning thunders of "Hala Biras"? Well, visit Iloilo and find out... Visit Iloilo and expect a vacation that you will never forget because it is the season of dance and music. It is the season of merry making. It is the season of Dinagyang.

Puerto de Muelle Loney; History beyond the seas...

Muelle Loney Street, one of the most important sea ports in the Philippines is one of the many reasons why Iloilo flourished in the Hispanic and American Era as a vital trading city.

The Muelle Loney St. is the busiest seaport in Iloilo and Panay. In 1855, the port was opened to international trade thus spurring the city's trading industrty making Iloilo City one of the wealthiest cities in the country. Goods from all over the province and neighboring Islands like Guimaras and Negros are sent to Iloilo before being exported out of the country.

However, The glory of Muelle Loney didn't last longer because some ports were established in the nearby Islands in the early 20th century. Today Muelle Loney still serves as the portal between Negros, Guimaras and Iloilo. Now, the wealth that it once claimed is only manifested by some if its old historic buildings of which some were forgotten by time itself...