Dinagyang 2012: Changes & Schedule of Activities

Dinagyang 2012 has already had its official launch last November 11, 2011. That means that the many Dinagyang-relatede activities had already began, and the plans for Dinagyang 2012 had already been unveiled. The highlights of the celebration will be held on January 20-22, 2012. (CHECK OUT FULL SCHEDULE AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE)

The festival organizers composed of the city government, the San Jose Parish and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation came up with several changes from the usual format. The most prominent change is that of the Judging Areas. The Judging Areas are as follows:

Judging Area #1: Sports Complex
Judging Area #2: Front of WIT/ St. Clements Church
Judging Area #3: Front of DOT
Judging Area #4: Freedom Grandstand

The parade shall no longer be of the carousel type but it shall be a straight parade which will start at the Iloilo Sports Complex and end at the Freedom Grandstand. According to the organizers, the change in venue was entertained to accommodate a larger audience as the festival continues to draw bigger crowd every year.

In an interview with Serbisyo Publiko hosted by Councilor Perla Zulueta over Sky Cable Sunday, Jimena said the chief complainants against the venue change are the participating tribes of the Ati-ati dance contest. Jimena said the tribes are worried that they will spend too much time and effort in pushing their props such as risers or platforms from the sports complex to the Freedom Grandstand. “Even in the carousel mode, they are pushing their props. This is one reason why we in some festivals the use of ‘non-portable’ props are discouraged and instead they focus on their music and choreography,” Jimena said.

Jimena said the sports complex will be stage 1 while stage 2 will be in the vicinity of St. Clement’s Church in LaPaz. The provincial capitol area will serve as stage 3 and the Freedom Grandstand as stage 4. “If we start at 8am, the first tribe will be able to perform at the Grandstand at around 9:30am. We will find out the sequence during our simulation,” he added.

“The executive committee of the IDFI is looking for ways and means to make the festival more exciting through these changes. And any criticism and suggestions are welcome so we can refine our plans,” he added.

2012 ILOILO DINAGYANG FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
December 9, 2011 [Friday] 3 PM - Miss Dinagyang Launch / SM City Iloilo: Event Center
December 16, 2011 [Friday] 3 PM - Pamukaw (Awakening of the City)
January 13, 2012 [Friday] 2 PM - Opening Salvo (Official Festival Kick-Off)
January 20, 2012 [Friday] 3 PM - Dinagyang Fluvial Procession
January 21, 2012 [Saturday] 7 AM - Mass for Kasadyahan
January 21, 2012 [Saturday] 8 AM - KASADYAHAN Competition / Dinagyang Route 
January 21, 2012 [Saturday] 7 PM - Religious Sad-sad to Sr. Sto. Niño
January 22, 2012 [Sunday] 6:30 AM - Concelebrated high mass for devotees, Tribes, Gov't. Officials / Iloilo Sports Complex
January 22, 2012 [Sunday] 8 AM - DINAGYANG Ati CONTEST
January 22, 2012 [Sunday] 7 PM - Awarding Ceremonies

The theme of the 2012 Dinagyang Festival is: "Beyond Awards, A Culture of Excellence". It’s religious theme is "Senor Santo Nino: One Beat, One Voice, On the Move to Serve".