PIA Press Release
Monday, January 23, 2012 Iloilo mayor says numerous festivals proves WV’s rich cultureILOILO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) -- City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the numerous festivals organized and held in various provinces of Western Visayas prove that the region has a rich and noble cultural heritage.Mabilog made this statement as he acknowledged the participation of local festivals from other provinces and cities of the region at the first Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition held Jan. 21 as one of the major highlights of this year’s Dinagyang Festival celebration held here to pay tribute to the Sr. Sto. Nino and showcase local culture. The cultural competition drew the participation of local festivals from Antique with “Tribu Mandaragat” of San Jose and “Tribu Panguyang” of Tibiao, Capiz with “Sinadya sa Halaran”, Guimaras with “Palayag de Bunenavista” of Buenavista and “Tribu Sinulog sang Oracon” of Sibunag, Negros Occidental with “Sigabong sang mga Kanyon” of Bago City and “Hugyaw Kansilay” of Silay City, and “Tribu Maragtas” of West Visayas State University, Iloilo City and “Salakayan Festival” of Miag-ao. Four other groups, namely “Kahilwayan” of Sta. Barbara and “Tribu Hugyaw” of St. Therese-MTC Colleges, both of Iloilo, “Masskara Festival” of Bacolod City and “Ati-Atihan” of Kalibo joined Kasadyahan as non-contesting participants but to give more color and excitement to Iloilo’s festivities. Mabilog said the holding of the regional cultural competition was “reflective of our (multi-sectoral organizers of Dinagyang) desire to show to the world that the whole of Region 6 (Western Visayas) has a magnificent culture and a glorious past”. As a cultural festival, Dinagyang is rooted in historic Barter of Panay between the Bornean datus and the Aeta aborigines of Panay Island sometime in the early 13th century. It was during the course of the barter forged by the two parties that the first Ati-Atihan, locally termed “dinagyang”, was held to seal and celebrate their pact and friendship. The “Salakayan Festival” of Miag-ao, Iloilo topped the regional contest of festivals witnessed by thousand of Ilonggos, tourists and government and diplomatic dignitaries. The local festivals that joined in the first regional cultural competition of Dinagyang are part of dozens of existing festivals in the region that are recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as part of the tourism development and promotion program of the government. (JCM/JSC/PIA6) | 
