By Toots Jimenez, Jr.
In 1997, I settled in Iloilo City with no job and not knowing many in the community. I asked my dear life partner for 18 months in order to circulate throughout the city, letting people know who I am and how I could help. I later found myself working in advertising and hotel management, and expanded my network of friends. In 1999, I joined the Iloilo Volkswagen Club and added even more friends.
As city officials were planning the 2001 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, a friend introduced me to an organizer and the rest was history.
As mentioned in a column published earlier this month, “Dinagyang Festival Opening Salvo today,” I was tapped by then-Iloilo City Councilor Rolando Dabao and Larry Jamora to serve as festival manager and introduce innovative ideas for the annual celebration. Late radio broadcaster Eddie Laczi was also among those involved in festival preparations. It involved months of daily meetings, with the Kasadyahan Parade competition and the Dinagyang Ati Tribes Competition among the most stressful details.
That year, I successfully organized the Iloilo Dinagyang Friendship Golf Tournament with Lito Doran, along with the Dinagyang Fashion Pageant aboard the M/V St Joseph the Worker with Ted Mino. I also introduced the Dinagyang Corporate Parade, which offered “mileage opportunities” for festival sponsors
In addition, I introduced guidelines for banners, ensuring they were marked and counted by my Dinagyang Task Force. I personally drove around the city to ensure sponsors were abiding by the rules.
That was nearly two decades ago and we have since seen the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival become the best of the best festivals in the country. Why? The heart pounding drumbeats and colorful costumes have made a mark for the Iloilo City festival among the world’s celebrations.
For me, it was a great experience.
Four years later, I was tapped as tribes coordinator. It was a tiring task as tribe leaders looked to me to locate financial support. I did my best despite some not being satisfied with the effort; there were rules to abide by and, regardless, it was a success.
Every year, we owe the success of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival to the extreme sacrifices made by tribes who practice day and night. As the festival draws nearer, performers are conducting nightly rehearsals, building up the energy to perform five times are various viewing stands.
Police, military, barangay officials, among others should also be credited for their service during the festival, along with the valuable cooperation of the general public.
The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival has been honored by the Aliwan Awards.
Credit is also due to the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc., headed by Ramon ‘Toto’ Cua Locsin; Department of Tourism-Region VI director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas; and officials of the Iloilo City government.
Let us all enjoy the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2019 and praise Señor Sto. Niño. (Photos by Ian Paul Cordero)/WDJ
