My Dinagyang 2011 Experience

My Dinagyang Festival 2011 trip started January 21, 2011 when I took a ferry from Bacolod bound for Iloilo. Though I was supposed to go a day earlier, I decided to just go on the 21st. A few hours after the arrival, the fluvial procession started. The replica image of the Santo Nino from Cebu docked at the Muelle Loney Port. During this time Marc, Don, Fitz and I were all at the Red Cross Office scrambling to claim our Media IDs.

Prior to this we had some problems with our Media IDs. Registration for the IDs ended January 2. And if I am not mistaken, I submitted our Media ID request through Sir Ben Jimena, the Iloilo City Tourism Officer, and former head of the Dinagyang Foundation (IDFI) before Christmas. I personally handed it to him when I was in Iloilo a day after the Dinagyang Pamukaw. Just a few days before Dinagyang, we were just surprised to learn that the guidelines for the Dinagyang Media IDs were revised and all those who applied will now be charged PHP500. I really find it unfair for all the photographers as this was never included in the form submitted to the IDFI.

I am used to paying a certain amount to get IDs during festivals. Masskara Festival charged PHP500 last October, Pintados Kasadyaan has PHP300 fee, Cebu Sinulog charges PHP750. I wouldn’t mind paying PHP500 as long as photographers are informed beforehand. What happened to Dinagyang was that, the fee was put in effect AFTER the deadline. Had they decided to put this policy in effect for next year, I will not complain.

Thank God, I was able to get my ID without even paying. I dunno why. But Don Fitz and Audrey haveto shell out PHP500.

Anyway, later that evening, Marc and I together with some more friends all went to Plazuela de Iloilo to catch the Fireworks competition. It was already the second day of the contest. Bongga mga fireworks! The event was capped by a pyromusical display by a Singaporean Fireworks maker.

January 22 – Marc and Iwent to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol early. It’s Saturday and it the Kasadyahan Festival Competition. There have been talks of moving the Kasadyahan to August as a separate Festival, but nothing is clear yet. This 2011 10 groups competed representing the various festivals of Iloilo. Prior to th contest proper, I was rooting for the Kasag Festival of Banate as they were already gunning for a 3peat win. But I was wrong. The Pantat Festival of Zarraga, Iloilo was adjudged as the best, while Kasag was only able to grab the 1st runner up slot. I wasl also betting for Kasag to win the Best in Costume trophy but it was won by the Binanog Festival of Lambunao . Pantat is a kind of catfish usually bred in ponds and is very abundant in Zarraga. It is not uncommon to see barbecue stalls along the highway selling grilled pantat which is the town’s specialty.

After the contest, Marc and I walked towards LBC near the Atrium to claim cash. Upon arrival in LBC I realized that my wallet was stolen! Inside my wallet are 7 SD Cards containing my Hi Res Cebu sinulog 2011 photos, my SSS ID, as well as other IDs I use in various transactions. And because I lost my IDs, I wasn’t able to claim my money. Good thing I have kind hearted friends who let me borrow money.

A day later was the Dinagyang Ati competition. Marc and I went back to the Capitol, really early. We arrived at the media section at 6AM. It was still dark, but mind you, there were a lot of people on the streets already and some photographers getting the prime seats. I’m so lucky to get the middle seat of the media section!

During th Sunday’s competition, 14 tribes competed for the very much coveted crown. The Dinagyang performances are getting better and better every year. The costumes as really beautiful. They are intricately-made and the headdresses are all a headturner! It was already past 1PM when the competition ended and it was just very very hot. I got sunburned but, it was all worth the fun!

After the performances, I was really betting for Tribu Pan-ay to win the Grand Prize, Tribu Paghidaet to settle for the first runner up and Tribu Bola Bola as 2nd runner up. My judgement was all correct. The three won exactly as I had earlier predicted. After winning the Dinagyang Trophy, Tribu Pan-ay also earned the ticket to represent the Dinagyang Festival in the annual Aliwan Fiesta 2011 which is scheduled April 14-16 in Metro Manila. The dates were announced during the awarding ceremonies.

Oh wait… just before the last tribe entered the judging area #2, where I was assigned, my camera conked out. I will no longer function. I was already in panic mode, as the last to perform in our stage is Tribu Pan-ay. Good thing another photographer lend me his extra DSLR body. Sigh of relief. But still, my camera still doesn’t function until today. And I don’t have a backup SLR

January 24th Monday, my birthday. I was supposed to get my complimentary birthday fish Spa but I woke up late, so I just had lunch with Audrey then we took a cab going to the Muelle Loney port to catch the 130PM ferry bound for Bacolod.

What an experience. Wallet got stolen, busted DSLR, met new friends, walked for a few kilometers. But I guess it was all worth the fun. Despite all the setbacks, I’d still go back to Iloilo next year for the Dinagyang 2012.

But before that happens, I’d still go to Manila to cheer for Tribu Pan-ay as they will defend the aliwan Fiesta Championship Trophy which was won last year.