DINAGYANG CONFERENCE. The Iloio Dinagyang Foundation Inc gathers stakeholders for the one-day "Iloilo Dinagyang Rhythm and Vibes Conference" held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, in Iloilo City, Wednesday (September 26, 2018). (Photo by Perla Lena)
ILOILO CITY -- Some 150 stakeholders on Wednesday gathered for a one-day conference on rhythm and vibes to look into the direction and identity of the Dinagyang Festival as it gears for its staging on Jan. 25-27, 2019.
“After 50 years, we are all challenged to make sure that the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival remains true to its core as an Ilonggo way of thanksgiving through merry-making. We have a good template of producing a world-class festival and it has given us all the blessing of unity through respect, trust and cooperation,” said Ramon Cua Locsin, president of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Inc. (IDFI).
Prof. Eric Divinagracia, advisory council member for the Alliance of Dinagyang Tribes in Iloilo, said “Iloilo Dinagyang Rhythm and Vibes Conference” is an aesthetic conference where probably they could come up with a “vocabulary of design, music, movement and direction of the festival that will form the Dinagyang identity.”
He added that the festival has been in existence for 50 years, so they now have sources for their vocabulary. But it has to start with identity where they should express their storyline.
“What is important is we define what our festival is,” he said, adding that it has to be rooted, has truthfulness of the culture and acceptance of the festival not only of its past but by looking also into its future.
Divinagracia added that talks are rife that an academy will be put up to train not just dancers but musicians, designers and directors.
Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, O.S.A., parish priest of the San Jose Placer, which is one of the partners of the IDFI in running the festival, said he found the conference “very valuable” to further look into points that should be integrated in the festival presentation.
Annie D. Sartorio, executive committee member of the national committee on dance of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and member of the IDFI, said the workshop is the second of the two-part organized by the IDFI for school principals, tribe managers, artistic directors, dance masters, music arrangers, costumes and props designers.
The first part held September 9-12 was focused on choreography. “We guide them on the transition and exploration of movement,” she said.
“Anywhere, you can see Dinagyang steps so we wanted to have our own identity, our own Dinagyang steps,” she added.
During the workshop, they invited some 14 members of the Ati tribe from Anilao, Iloilo and asked them to perform with their own music and explained the meaning of their movements.
The conference was held at Diamond Jubilee Hall here. (PNA)
