Monday, August 29, 2011

First time travelers: What to Expect in Dinagyang Festival 2012

I was not in mood to do something productive because (i) my earphones got busted; and (ii) there’s a possibility that I may not join the Soccsksargen Tour 3 this coming September.

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Dinagyang Festival dancers, photo courtesy of woofoo via Flickr.

I originally planned to sleep at around midnight when Marx sent me a message on Facebook.

It read: Renz, piso fare ng Cebu Pacific!

I hurriedly typed Cebu Pacific’s website and check for available piso flights. I originally planned to purchase round trip tickets to Cebu and celebrate Sinulog Festival but since the piso seats of the return flight were all taken, I decided book another flight and this time to Iloilo City to celebrate Dinagyang Festival. Much to my surprise, there were still piso seats available for my DVO-ILO-DVO flight! So I booked a round trip flight to ILO. In fairness it was hassle-free. All in all, the round trip fare cost Php 775.04 (no check-in bags though). Piso fares are more expensive compared last year. But yeah, I shouldn’t miss this promo.

I will be at Iloilo City this January 19-23, 2012 to celebrate Dinagyang Festival. It will be my second time to cover a Philippine festival, and hopefully by that time I’ll have my own DSLR camera (teehee).

Lifted from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.

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Dinagyang Festival dancer, photo courtesy of woofoo via Flickr.

These are some of the things that one should expect on a festival:

(1) A number of people will flock the main streets to witness the street dance so, be careful with your personal belongings.

(2) Mall-wide sales and street markets! Perfect for shoppers who are on a tight budget!

(3) Usually, the dance parade will be held at morning. January is not a wet season in Iloilo so don’t forget to apply sunblock lotion. Wear your shades and fedora hat and shoot like a boss.

(4) Bring extra shirts and face towel. You’ll get drenched with your own sweat after the parade, like what I experienced during the Kadayawan Festival!

It will be my second time to visit Iloilo City! I kinda miss Iloilo and Guimaras and by this time, I will try to speak Hiligaynon correctly. I don’t want to have another “Hipos bala” incident.

I would like to thank Cebu Pacific for this wonderful opportunity. Indeed, every Juan can afford to fly and visit other provinces of Philippines!

11 comments:

  1. wow, great deal from CP, sad i missed it. I never been to iloilo, heard dinagyang is cool. i liked your blog my short stay is fun – will hop over again and browse slowly…

    Here's mine if you have time: Gest to Utopia

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  2. Good thing my friend informed me about this. :) Great pics btw!

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  3. They are competing na with 2P (AirPhil), looks like their fare has gone affordable unlike before.

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  4. Kuya Bern! Last March I tried mock booking for DVO-ILO and was surprised to know na mas mahal pa ang round trip tickets to ILO than in MNL or CEB! Talking about monopoly. Tss. Buti nalang talaga at may AirPhil na to ILO. :)

    Nasa ILO ka ba this January? Hope to see you with Marcos para sa Dinagyang! Weeeee!

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  5. ganda cgurong makapunta jan.

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  6. I haven't celebrated Dinagyang since 2000! Me and my friends would rent Kiosks in the city, hang out, woo girls and would drink from Friday night to Sunday night.

    I'm planning to go home next year. Though I'm still debating wheter to go this January 2012 and attend Dinagyang, or December 2012 for our HS and Grade School reunion.

    Nice site BTW.

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  7. I'll be seeing you in the streets! I'll say hello. :D Enjoy Dinagyang!

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  8. same here also booked for Iloilo during the piso fare but we'll be arriving on Sunday, the big day itself, early morning, hope we can reach the parade by then... :D

    do you happen to have update on the media/photog pass?

    Thanks!

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  9. After we missed this year's Dinagyang Festival due to busy work schedule, this will be on our top list to go on 2013.

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