Dinagyang ‘26 brings best of the best tribes and performances
By Mary Joy Cavañas
Dinagyang Festival 2026 has finally wrapped up, bringing the best of the best tribes that showcased their unique storyline, energetic performances, and vibrant costumes.
With this year’s theme, “Bugay sang Ginoo, Bugal sang mga Ilonggo”, the celebration showcased the faith, culture, and tradition of Ilonggos.
One of Dinagyang’s major highlight was joined by seven competing tribes composed of community and school-based during the Ati Tribes Competition held on January 25, 2026.
The event was attended by local officials from the Iloilo City LGU including Mayor Raisa Treñas, Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Congresswoman Julienne Baronda, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) councilors, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated (IFFI) President Angel de Leon, IFFI Chairman Rito Carlos “Judgee” Peña. Also present in the celebration were Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Bam Aquino, among others.
The Ati Tribes composed of:
* Tribu Bulawanon – Boulevard, Molo
* Tribu Taga-baryo – Bo. Obrero, Lapuz
* Tribu Pan-ay – Fort San Pedro National High School
* Tribu Paghidaet – La Paz National High School
* Tribu Ilayanhon – Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School
* Tribu Salognon – Jaro National High School
* Tribu Ilonganon – Jalandoni Memorial National High School
Each tribe showcased their respective concepts featuring the flora and fauna, connecting them to the history, tradition, and culture of Iloilo and its people.
This year, the tribes performed at three judging areas, particularly Iloilo Freedom Grandstand in City Proper as judging area no. 1, Gaisano La Paz as judging area no. 2, and Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district as judging area no. 3.
During the awarding ceremony, Tribu Salognon was hailed as the champion for the Ati Tribes Competition wherein they received ₱1.5 million cash prize and ₱10 million worth of school projects. This was followed by Tribu Paghidaet as first runner-up bagging a cash prize of ₱1 million and ₱3 million worth of school projects, Tribu Pan-ay as second runner-up with ₱700,000 cash prize and ₱2 million worth of school projects, and Tribu Taga-Baryo as third runner-up with ₱600,000 cash prize and ₱1 million worth of school projects. Tribes who were unable to secure major prizes have been awarded by ₱500,000 each by the city government as consolation prizes.
In minor awards, Tribu Salognon garnered the Best in Choreography, Best in Production Design, and Best in Music, while Tribu Paghidaet bagged the Best in Costume Design, Best in Discipline, Best in Performance, and Best in Street Dance.
Additionally, one of Dinagyang’s major highlights was the Sadsad sa Calle Real wherein it was joined by six barangay tribes from various districts of Iloilo City. These include Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Familia Sagasa, Tribu Panaad, Tribu Yrong-Yrong, Tribu Parianon, and Tribu Molave-Buntatala.
In Sadsad sa Calle Real, Tribu Parianon was hailed as the champion and the Darling of the Crowd, followed by Tribu Molave as first runner-up, and Tribu Familia Sagasa as second runner-up.
Tribu Parianon also bagged minor awards, including Best in Costume Design and Headdress, Best in Music, Best in Choreography, and Best in Sto. Niño Bearer, while Tribu Molave got the People’s Choice Award and first place in Unity Dance, and Tribu Aninipay got the Best in Discipline along with second place in Unity Dance. Also, Tribu Panaad was named as third place in the Unity Dance.
In addition to the celebration, ILOmination was also held last January 23 at Atria Park and SM City Iloilo wherein it was joined by four competing light festivals from different regions, including Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Mindoro, Pavvurulun Afi Festival of Tuguegarao City, Zamboanga Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City, and Banaag Festival of Anilao, Iloilo.
Dinagyang ILOmination by Sidlangan Dance Company and FEDLAD Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe of the Iloilo Cultural Federation, Inc. also showcased their special performances during the ILOmination event.
Banaag Festival was hailed as ILOmination champion, bringing a cash prize of ₱500,000; followed by Zamboanga Hermosa Festival as first runner-up with cash prize of ₱300,000; Pavvurulun Afi Festival as second runner-up with cash prize of ₱200,000; and Pandang Gitab as third runner-up with ₱100,000 cash prize.
Special awards were also bagged by Banaag Festival, including Best in Light Designer, Best in Costume Designer, Best in Production Designer, Best in Musical Director, Best in Lighting Design, Best in Lighted Production Design, Best in Lighted Costume Design, Best in Music, and Best Performance.
Special awards also went to Zamboanga Hermosa Festival as Best in Choreography and Best in Choreographer, while Pandang Gitab Festival was named Best in Street Performance and People’s Choice Award.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Provincial Government also held its Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on January 24, wherein it was joined by eight festivals across various municipalities in the province, showcasing their respective livelihood and culture. These festivals include:
* Jimanban Festival – New Lucena
* Tawili Festival – San Rafael
* Salakayan Festival – Miag-ao
* Pagnahi-an Festival – Bingawan
* Tultugan Festival – Maasin
* Kasag Festival – Banate
* Kahilwayan Festival – Santa Barbara
In Kasadyahan, Tultugan Festival once again secured their championship with ₱1.2 million cash prize, followed by Kahilwayan Festival as first runner-up with cash prize of ₱700,000, and Kasag Festival as second runner-up with ₱500,000 cash prize. Festivals who were unable to secure spots were given ₱200,000 each as consolation prizes.
Tultugan Festival also bagged special awards, including Best in Music, Best in Costume, Best in Production Design, Best in Musical Director, Circular Creativity Award, and Best in Streetdancing while Kahilwayan Festival bagged the Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, Best in Choreographer, and Ingenuity Award.
In her speech during the awarding ceremony, Mayor Raisa Treñas considered Dinagyang Festival 2026 as one of the successful Dinagyangs as it gained about 30,000 spectators for the awarding ceremony.
“Our Dinagyang, won’t be successful if not because of the support by our tribes, choreographers, tribe managers, and everyone who helped for the sponsorships, dancers, production team, propsmen, and everyone, you do make Dinagyang 2026 possible,” Treñas said.
She also acknowledged the security personnel that were deployed—Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO), and other force multipliers—for ensuring peace and security during the celebration of Dinagyang. She also expressed thanks to General Services Office (GSO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and other part of cleaning departments for maintaining orderliness during the festive celebration.
Meanwhile, in a media interview on January 27, 2026, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated (IFFI) Chairman Rito Carlos “Judgee” Peña announced that the Dinagyang Festival 2027 will return to its original carousel route in the City Proper and they would consider having five judging areas so that more people could see the performances. He added that they may also bring back the “banderitas” on the streets.
To recall, this year’s celebration also sparked criticisms and sentiments from the public as there were changes in route of judging areas and absence of “banderitas” in the city during the festivity.
