City gov’t launches 100-day countdown for Dinagyang Festival 2026
By Mary Joy Cavañas
The Iloilo City Government, in partnership with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated (IFFI), launched the 100-day countdown for Dinagyang Festival 2026 at SM City Iloilo Southpoint in Mandurriao, Iloilo City on October 22, 2025.
Mayor Raisa Treñas led the event and was attended by Girl Mayor Helen Natalie Bolivar, Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, San Jose de Placer Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Nelson G. Zerda, OSA, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) President Angel De Leon, SM City Iloilo Assistant Mall Manager Rychmark Trinidad, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, and councilors of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
In her message, Mayor Treñas characterized the festival as a testament to the Ilonggo people’s faith, creativity, and resilience, which are essential aspects of their identity.
“Dinagyang is happening. We are carrying our heritage and culture. We are showing not only to the entire Philippines but to the entire world, the Ilonggos, our faith and love for Señor Sto. Niño,” Treñas said.
With the theme,“Bugay sang Ginoo, Bugal sang mga Ilonggo”, Dinagyang Festival 2026 highlights faith, gratitude, and pride of Ilonggos, and by also showing heritage and culture.
The launching also featured seven official competing tribes for next year’s Dinagyang Tribe Competition under the Open Category. These include:
* Tribu Bulawanon — Molo
* Tribu Ilonganon — Jalandoni Memorial National High School
* Tribu Taga Baryo — Bo. Obrero National High School
* Tribu Salognon — Jaro National High School
* Tribu Ilayanhon — Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School
* Tribu Pan-ay – Fort San Pedro National High School (1st Runner-Up, contingent for Kalayaan 2025)
* Tribu Paghidaet – La Paz National High School (Defending Champion, performed at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan)
Meanwhile, the competing tribes for Sadsad sa Calle Real (Barangay Contingents) were also revealed. These include:
* Tribu Parianon
* Tribu Yrong-Yrong
* Tribu Aninipay
* Tribu Familia Sagasa
* Tribu Molave
* Tribu Panaad
Aside from Dinagyang Tribes Competition and Sadsad sa Calle Real, festival goers will also be able to enjoy Dinagyang ILOmination and Iloilo Provincial Government’s organized festival which is the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan.
According to Dinagyang Festival Artistic Director Mr. Eric Divinagracia, the event will be highlighting Ilonggos as stewards of God’s creation through celebrating flora and fauna, such as different flowers and animals across the Visayas region.
He added the plan to consider Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district as an area for Dinagyang through a consultation during their stakeholders meeting.
He cited plans that on the Sunday of Dinagyang, the Sadsad sa Calle Real will begin, while Dinagyang Tribes Competition will be held on a Sunday afternoon of the festival wherein the route will start from Iloilo Freedom Grandstand up to Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
He cited that they have already measured the sports complex, and has already talked with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wherein he also approved, in case this plan happens.
In case Iloilo Sports Complex will be chosen as an area for Dinagyang, twice of the Freedom Grandstand’s size will be accumulated from the said area during the event.
“We are currently studying these plans that’s why we have a stakeholders meeting, and we’ll see the voice of the people. We’ve been doing this since 2012, and with the new technology, we can already put better speakers, better led walls, so that more people could watch Dinagyang, and it’s more accessible to the people, particularly the ones with no tickets,” Divinagracia said.
Divinagracia also stressed that the Dinagyang Festival is very particular in its own aesthetics, and it should not copy other best festivals in other areas such as Mascara in Bacolod, and Sinulog in Cebu.
“Our Dinagyang tribes say that we have our own aesthetics and that’s what we’ll look forward to,” he said.
He also invited the light festivals from across many regions to participate in the ILOmination to participate and celebrate the tradition of the Ilonggos.
