ILOILO CITY -- Colorful floats brightened the stretch of the Benigno Aquino Jr Avenue Saturday evening as for the first time in the 50 years of Dinagyang, the organizer gathered more than 20 lighted floats for the “Parade of Lights.”
Gold served as the prominent element intertwined with various colorful materials and lights that also bore their company name and the logo “50th Anniversary of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.”
Joining the event were private firms, local government units including barangays, tertiary schools, civic clubs and associations, civil society organizations, fraternities and sororities.
The parade started from Infante Street beside the University of the Philippines Visayas going to Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and culminated at the Iloilo Business Park. All floats were parked along the main road of the Megaworld and remained in the area until midnight to allow visitors to take pictures.
Despite the heavy traffic, thousands of spectators, especially tourists, came to witness the parade.
Niña Jane Mosquera, 23, described the parade of lights as "world class."
"It was another attraction that Ilonggos should be proud of. I hope the activity will be sustained for the many more years of Dinagyang festival," she said.
Also, Cyrus Natividad, expressed amazement with the parade of lights.
"The parade of lights was about the start of making the Dinagyang more sophisticated, more income generating and actually making it bigger- even as it is appropriate for the 50th celebration," he said.
Meanwhile, Vivian Tan kept on saying "wow!" while each float passes by.
"Spectacular, fantastic, colorful, really very impressive. I congratulate the organizers," she said.
The floats were judged based on splendor/grandiosity at 30 percent; uniqueness and originality; lighting effects, workmanship, and creativity at 20 percent each; and originality at 10 percent.
Winners are entitled to cash prizes and trophies during Sunday evening’s awarding ceremonies. (PNA)
