Iloilo City’s renowned celebration of faith and culture has reaffirmed its status as one of the country’s best cultural events after the “Dinagyang” has been included as one of the finalists in the Outstanding Festival Category of the upcoming Philippine LEAF Awards: Tertulia at Parangal 2024.

The nomination received by the Dinagyang Festival also solidified its successful run this year after gathering thousands of tourists to witness spectacular displays of colors, compelling cultural performances, and deep devotion to Señor Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus).

The festival consistently received awards with notable recognitions from the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP), winning the Best Tourism Event award for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008 and in 2020 during its digital edition due to the health pandemic.

In 2021, the festival also received the ATOP’s Pearl Awards for Best Tourism Practice, and it continued in 2022 when it was declared as the grand winner of the Best Cultural Festival Award in the City category.

The Iloilo City Government, through a Facebook post, noted that the nomination received by the Dinagyang Festival in the LEAF Awards would serve as an added boost for the city’s tourism sector.

“Indeed, the iconic chants of our warriors and the echoing drumbeats reverberate the essence of unity, Filipino pride, celebration, and innovation,” it added.

The LEAF Awards, which aimed to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements of Filipino Artists in the fields of live entertainment, arts, fashion, and festivals, would take place on February 8 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The committee is set to recognize one outstanding festival from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

Aside from the Dinagyang Festival, finalists in the Visayas include the Bailes de Luces of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu province, and the Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan. (PIA Iloilo)