Iloilo City is buzzing with excitement as the Dinagyang Festival approaches, and locals are being encouraged to dive into the festivities by participating in the ‘Sadsad sa Calle Real.’ This event, translating to ‘merry-making along Calle Real,’ is set to transform the city’s heritage zone into a vibrant hub of celebration.
Eric Divinagracia, the festival’s artistic director, has called on the community to not just watch but to actively engage in the street festivities. ‘The essence of Dinagyang is about our community coming together. We invite everyone to be a part of it,’ he stated enthusiastically.
Scheduled to last from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on January 26, following the Tribes Competition, ‘Sadsad sa Calle Real’ offers an inclusive experience. It’s an excellent opportunity for those without tickets to the competition to still enjoy the tribal performances.
Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc., emphasized the event’s accessibility, saying, ‘It’s open to everyone, and it’s free. People can join the parade and the merry-making.’
Participants will have the chance to join six tribes: Tribu Panaad, Tribu Calubihan, Tribu Familia Sagasa, Tribu Irong-irong, Tribu Aninipay, and Tribu Halimaw, as they perform. The focus of these performances will be on community engagement rather than complex choreography, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun.