By Xander Ledesma
The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is set to make its international debut following the conclusion of the 2025 festivities on Sunday. Organizers announced that the festival, known for its annual street performances celebrating the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus), received invitations to perform in Auckland, New Zealand this November and in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
Allan Ryan Tan, president of the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. (IFFI), confirmed during the festival’s Tribes Competition that Dinagyang has been invited to showcase its cultural performances in Auckland. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas, through Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez, formally extended the invitation for the World Expo in Osaka.
“Our Dinagyang is set to take the international stage,” Tan said. “We are excited to highlight our culture, as well as the resilience of the Dinagyang warrior, to the global audience.”
This year’s Tribes Competition, held on the fourth Sunday of January, featured eight participating groups: Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School, Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Tribu Molave of Barangay San Rafael in Mandurriao, Tribu Parianon of Molo District, Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Tribu Hangaway of Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School, and Tribu Pag-Asa Kang Manduryaw of Mandurriao District.
“Let’s keep the Dinagyang spirit alive and continue to make Iloilo City shine on the global stage,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said in a statement. He also emphasized the positive impact of collaboration between the city and the province in making the annual festival possible.
The Dinagyang Festival, which began in 1968, takes place every fourth Sunday of January. It celebrates Iloilo’s devotion to the Sto. Niño, featuring street dancing, drum and bugle corps, and colorful costumes that depict indigenous heritage.