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Saturday,
January 24, 2004 A TOTAL of 24 tribes are seeing action in Sunday's Ati-Atihan contests, the highlight of the annual Dinagyang festival of Iloilo City. This year's theme is "Devotion in Motion." As early as 5 a.m., spectators are expected to flock to the five judging areas for both competitions. The first and the main judging area is the Freedom Grandstand. The rest are Plazoleta Gay, Quezon-Ledesma Sts., Maria Clara area and Casa Plaza. The 24 tribes will compete in the Open category and Barangay category. In the Barangay Category, participating tribes are Tribu Angola, Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Atub-Atub, Tribu Badyao, Tribu Bantu, Tribu Dagyaw-ta, Tribu Halimau, Tribu Hamili, Tribu Himala, Tribu Kalubihan, Tribu Kongo, Tribu Lakandon,Tribu Miluvi, Tribu Molave, Tribu Pag-asa, Tribu Pana-ad and Tribu Parianon. Tribu Atub-Atub is the defending champion. Last year, it bested Tribu Molave, which was first runner-up; Tribu Panaad, second runner-up; Tribu Kongo, third runner-up; and Tribu Hamili, fourth runner-up. In the Open Category, seeing action are the Tibu Bola-Bola, Tribu Irayanhon, Tribu Jalaud (Calinog), Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Sagrada, Tribu Salognon and Tribu Sigabong. Prizes The champion in the Barangay Category will get P40,000 while the first runner-up, P30,000; The second runner-up, P20,000; third runner-up, P10,000; and fourth runner-up, P5,000. The winner for the special awards--Best in Discipline, Best in Costume, Best in Music, Best in Choreography and Best in Performance--will receive P5,000 each. For Best in Headdress, Most Unique and Most Colorful, P1,000 each. In the Barangay Category, the winners will get the same amount for the special awards. The champion will get P40,000; first runner-up, P30,000; and, second runner-up, P20,000. Saturday,
January 24, 2004 PRESIDENT Arroyo will arrive in Iloilo on Sunday in time for highlights of the Dinagyang 2004 festival, although she will not take part in the festivities. Arroyo, who was initially scheduled to come early Sunday morning to attend a mass and watch the Ati-Atihan competition, is expected to arrive at 1 p.m. at the Mandurriao airport. Her welcome party will include Gov. Niel Tupas Sr., Mayor Jerry Treñas, Presidential Assistant Rene Villa, 3rd Infantry Division commander Gabriel Ledesma and local Chinese-Filipino business leaders Felipe Uygongco and Henry Chusuey. She will then proceed to the Mirant Philippines-owned Panay Power Corp. (PPC) diesel plant in Ingore, La Paz to launch the power firm's 114-megawatt power project. There, she will be joined by Energy Sec. Vincent Perez and Mirant Philippines president Ed Bautista. Arroyo graced the groundbreaking rites of the PPC expansion project in August last year. After that, she will travel towards Cabatuan for a "windshield inspection" of the proposed airport site in Barangay Tabucan. She will also have an informal interaction with workers and beneficiaries of the "Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin Project." At Cabatuan covered gym, Arroyo will deliver a speech and launch the P6.187-billion (not P6.7 billion as earlier reported) New Iloilo Airport Development Project. Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said on Saturday that vice presidential candidate Noli de Castro will grace the Dinagyang festival on Sunday together with several of his partymates in the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4). De Castro is to be joined by Richard Gordon, former Trade and Industry Sec. Manuel Roxas, former Sen. Orlando Mercado, and action star Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and his wife, actress Lani Mercado. Also expected to come are opposition senatorial bets Jinggoy Estrada and Jamby Madrigal. Another vice presidential bet, Sen. Loren Legarda, might also come, the mayor said. He has no official confirmation on the arrival of Legarda's runningmate actor Fernando Poe Jr. Friday,
January 23, 2004 IT'S all systems go for Dinagyang 2004. We no longer have problems when it comes to the financial needs of the festival, according to Ben Jimena, IDFI vice president and executive director for the festival. The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) has already met its 6.5 million budget for the festival. However, Jimena expressed concern about peace and order during the festival. "Peace and order, as well as discipline among spectators, should be instilled so that there won't be any delays in the programs," he said, referring to the Kasadyahan competition on Jan. 24 and the Ati competition on Jan. 25. He said that without peace and order, programs might last as late as three in the afternoon. Sr. Supt. Policarpio Segubre, meanwhile, assured that peace and order would be addressed. City and provincial police from Iloilo, as well as police interns from universities will be deployed during the festivities, he said. This early, intelligence officers have been deployed in order to monitor snatchers and pickpockets, he said. Friday,
January 23, 2004 ELEVEN tribes will compete in the Kasadyahan contest of the Dinagyang 2004 Festival on Jan. 24. Tribu Guimbalanon of Guimbal and Tribu Sukdap of Maasin have already confirmed participation. The other competing tribes are Tribu Regala of Ramon Avanceña National High School, Tribu Lapuz-Lapuz of Jalandoni National High School, Tribu Mandurriaonon of Mandurriao, Tribu Maragtas of West Visayas State University, Tribu Agilawan of University of San Agustin, Tribu Hugyaw of Lapaz II Elementary School, Tribu Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School, Tribu Panarap of Barotac Nuevo National High School and Tribu Suage of Calmay National High School. The contest is open to public and private schools, colleges and universities, divisions and districts throughout the region. The concept/theme for the performance is left to the discretion of the participants based on their own interpretation of what is relevant to the celebration themed, "Devotion in Motion." The criteria for the contest shall be performance, 25 percent; cheography, 25 percent; costume/uniform, 25 percent and music, 25 percent. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the first three winners. Friday,
January 23, 2004 THE Dinagyang Festival, considered to be one of the most prestigious festivities worldwide, attracts both local and foreign tourists who troop to Iloilo City even weeks before its highlight. The tourists, particularly the foreigners, come here for a truly Ilonggo cultural experience. Without their support, the festival can't be truly called world-class. However, apart from the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang, there has been no cultural show designed for international visitors during the festivity, said Maurio Somodio, founding member of the Fil-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (FAFQ) and Kahirup Society. "Tourists are looking for a cultural show while having dinner. That is why we conceptualized the Iloilo International Night to answer this need," Somodio said. The project is now on its fourth year. This year, the Iloilo International Night will be held on Jan. 23 at the Alumni Promenade-Concert Park of the Central Philippine University (CPU) at 6 p.m. One of the performers will be the CPU Sari-Saot Cultural Dance Troupe. Guests will come from Australia, Canada, USA, Guam, London, Germany, among others. The FAFQ will send its 10-member delegation headed by Ella Zapirain; Mark Collie, Ginoong Pilipinas Australia 2003; and Aizabel Caacbay, Bb. Pilipinas Australia 2003. The Kahirup Society will also send a 20-member delegation headed by Thelma Bowes and Nancy Zita. Prof. Ric Patricio, coordinator for Iloilo International Night, said that in the past, the project was sponsored by CPU alone. Through the years, the support has increased. This year, sponsors are the Jaro Centraline Rotary Club, CPU Cultural office, CPU College of Tourism and the Department of Tourism. "Last year, we had representatives from 20 countries. We are hoping that we will have more this year," Patricio said. He clarified, however, that the night is not exclusive to foreign nationals alone. "Anyone who is interested to watch the cultural presentations is very much welcome." Tickets are at P300 and available at CPU. Interested parties may also contact Prof. Rico Patricio at (033) 3291654 for details. KVC Thursday,
January 22, 2004 NOEL Binayas of Iloilo emerged as over-all champion in the recently concluded Dinagyang Golf 3rd Mayor Jerry Treñas Cup. Binayas, who topped Class A category with 73 points, bested other 200 golfers from Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Davao, Korea and the United States. He, along with other winners, was awarded Sunday night at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Hotel. Mayor Jerry Treñas and tournament chairman Oscar Nava led the awarding ceremony. Dodo Chua just needed two points to overtake Binayas. Chua, a businessman from Iloilo, scored 72 to land 1st runner-up. Paul Mendez of Victorias City, Negros Occidental topped the Class B Category with 83 points while Romeo Bondoc of Iloilo gathered 78 points, just enough to rank second. Class C category champ is Ita-as Ireneo who scored 83 points to outsmart Judge Castillo Tito who occupied the second spot with 79 points. In Ladies Category I, Corel Yap bagged the championship slot when she scored 70 points. Ann Zaragoza scored 67 points to emerge as 1st runner-up. In Category II, Ruby Delicana rallied 84 points and was declared champion. Helen Stummer was awarded 1st runner-up with 80 points. Highest scorer for first day was Ireneo Ita-as while for second day, Mel Zapanta. They both garnered 44 points. Pewee Aguilar was awarded for the "Longest Drive." RS/JD Thursday,
January 22, 2004 THE Dinagyang Festival is not only a showcase of street performances by the Kasadyahan groups and the Ati-ati tribes, but also a show of skills in local entrepreneurship, Trade and Industry Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena said. Cadena, who is in-charge of the exhibits in this year's Dinagyang Festival, said special events featured in the celebration include exhibits of past Dinagyang paraphernalia and records. Exhibits of images of Sto. Nino, which vary in sizes and in attires, belonging to prominent families are displayed at SM City. The exhibits, he said, give the viewers a wide glimpse of past Dinagyang costumes, headdresses and props, particularly those of the tribes which have been champions for several years. Not only that, Cadena added, the Dinagyang
Exhibits also provide local entrepreneurs the opportunity to expose
their products while generating income for themselves. "We would like to remind the people that there is another face to the Dinagyang, namely, its religiosity, its cultural aspect and its historical significance," Cadena said. Tuesday,
January 20, 2004
Other awards Jowelie Docdocil won the Best in Talent and Best in Interview awards. Twenty-year-old Docdocil's talent was a declamation piece where she made an imitation of different characters--a model, a dancer, an actress and a person with disability. She was even successful in imitating a dog and a rooster. For her interview, she was asked to name the three things that Ilonggos should be proud of. "Una, ang Lapaz Batchoy. Bisan diin ka makadto, wala ka sang makita nga mas manamit pa sa Lapaz Batchoy. Ikaduha, ang Dinagyang Fesival naton. Ang ikatlo, ang mga Ilonggo tama kalulo maghambal. Bisan naga-inaway na malulo gihapon." Her answer elicited laughter among the crowd. Docdocil was also chosen as the Smart Texters' Choice. For her prize, she received a TV set apart from gift packs from sponsors. Sixteen-year-old Jade Ezpeleta bagged the Miss Photogenic Award. Jojo Paloma of Paloma Photography did the selection. She was also chosen as Darling of the Press. Members of the media who were present during the press conference last Jan. 13 did the selection. The towering 22-year-old Juvy Pearl Magno bagged the Miss Congeniality Award. The candidates themselves named her as the winner. Sherina de la Cruz, a member of the Creative Designers Guild of Oton and a graduate of Physical Education, was named Miss Close Up Smile as well as Miss Creamsilk. Encantada: Miss Dinagyang 2004 lived up to everybody's expectations. The organizers told the truth when they said that the pageant will use the Hiligaynon dialect as the medium (although sometimes host Chris Misajon had to revert to the English language to make his point). The pageant was also an interplay of theater and film. It was a show that had less talk and more performance. While others would relate the story why the pageant was named Encantada through reading a script, last Saturday's show used dance to narrate this. Through dance by the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Performing Arts group, the story of the three 'encantos' looking for the 'encantada' was told. And in the end, they found her, in the person of Kimberly Ann Custodio. Monday,
January 19, 2004 FOR years, the image of the Sto. Nino has been hailed as a symbol of the Filipino shedding his pagan practices and wearing the cloak of Christianity. A representation of the child Jesus, the image is believed to be a source of miracles and blessings, leading to a long line of devotees everywhere. Iloilo City is not spared from such. In 1968, the Sto. Nino of Cebu was brought to San Jose Parish. A year later, the first feast of Sto. Nino was held and it consists of a nine-day devotion. Since then, the child Jesus has been venerated through what we now call the Dinagyang, a both festive and solemn festival which Ilonggos will celebrate this coming Jan. 24 and 25. One of the activities prepared for the festival is an exhibit of the different images of Sr. Sto. Nino as well as several Dinagyang memorabilia on Jan. 16 (originally slated Jan. 8) at SM City Iloilo. According to exhibit chairman Heloise Javellana, the activity is already on its third year. This year, almost 50 images of the child Jesus will be featured. These images are owned by several Sto. Niño devotees. "The
devotees want to share to the Ilonggos the blessings that the Sto. Nño
can bring. The image has brought immense blessings to the life of these devotees,"
Javellana said. The exhibit will run until Jan. 25. Dinagyang
golf tees-off DUBBED as "Dinagyang Golf," the 3rd Mayor Jerry Treñas Cup will take place on Jan. 16 to 18, one week before the Dinagyang Festival highlights. According to its chairman, Oscar Nava, this is considered as the biggest golfing event in Western Visayas with participants coming from different parts of the country and abroad. Nava revealed that todate, there are 200 participants coming from Iloilo, Manila, Leyte, Davao, Korea and the United States. The youngest participant who has registered is as young as 14 years old and the oldest is 91 years old. The participants will be playing for 36 holes. There will be two categories, namely the male and female categories. The male category has three groups with group A for those with a handicap of 0 to 9, group B for those with a handicap of 10 to 18 and group C for those with a handicap of 19-27. The female category has groups A and B. Though there is no cash prize for the winners, Nava said that "we have trophies and very big prizes from our sponsors. Whoever achieves a hole-in-one will get a Honda Civic from Malayan Insurance. Our other major sponsors include Smart, Mr. Rogelio Florete, Bombo Holdings, Inc., and Caltex." An awarding ceremony will take place at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center on Jan. 18, 7 p.m. The proceeds of Dinagyang
Golf will be donated to the Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. | ||||
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