Dinagyang festival dancers return to the global stage, set to perform in Japan, New Zealand

After a seven-year hiatus from the international stage, the widely acclaimed Iloilo Dinagyang Festival performers are set to return to the global spotlight this year, ready to dazzle and impress a worldwide audience.

“We are excited. This opportunity reignites our excitement to once again showcase internationally our pride and joy, the Dinagyang Festival. It has always been a symbol of our faith, culture, unity, and creativity, and now, more than ever, we are eager to present the best of what we have to offer to a global audience,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas in a statement on Monday.

The local chief executive said the world-clas festival secured an invitation to perform in Osaka, Japan, and Auckland, New Zealand, in June and November, respectively.

He said the local government expects more invitations in the coming years, stating that the last time the Dinagyang Festival was showcased abroad was in 2018, when then-champion 'Tribu Panayanon' performed during the Philippine Independence Day in New York City.

The Dinagyang Festival is a multi-awarded spectacle, being the seven-time and reigning champion of Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event that gathers different cultural festivals of the Philippines held at the Star City Complex in Pasay City.

It also won Best Festival at the 2024 Philippine Leaf Awards and was recognized as the Asia-Pacific Folklore Festival of 2024 by the prestigious International Festival and Events Association (IFEA)-Asia at the Asian Festival Awards.

It is the only recipient from the Philippines since IFEA’s inception in 1956.

This year, eight tribes competed, including Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Parianon, Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Pag-asa kang Manduryaw, Tribu Hangaway, Tribu Molave, Tribu Salognon, and Tribu Pan-ay.

They dazzled local and foreign visitors alike with their performances based on this year’s Dinagyang theme, “Buhi nga Pagtuo sa Kinabuhi sang mga Ilonggo.”

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) congratulated and commended Treñas, who served as its national adviser, for successfully staging the Dinagyang Festival.

Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and showcasing cities’ unique history and traditions, the LCP, through its representatives, also joined the City of Love and UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy in celebrating Dinagyang Festival 2025.