The premiere Ilonggo online community site Dinagyang.com is celebrating it's 2nd year of providing a place online where Ilonggos get together and discuss just about any topic under the hot Iloilo sun.

New developments such as raffles (iPods, I gathered) awaits frequent forum posters. Being an active lurker, I have no way of winning the iPod (I'd love to have one!). But you might. Just participate in the lively discussions. Or better yet, start your own thread and pour out those emotions, negative and positive.

Tribu Ilongganon of Jalandoni Memorial High School bags the Dinagyang Festival 2007 Ati competition over-all champion crown for the second year. Tribu Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara is this years over-all champion for the Kasadyahan competition.

Everybody agrees that this year's Dinagyang tribe performances improved with Tribu Taga-Jaro demonstrating the biggest jump in ranking - from 10th place last year to 2nd place this 2007. I would say those T-Backs did wonders for them.

Even with better performance, other tribes was not able to unseat the defending champions Tribu Ilongganon. Tribu Ilongganon bested them all with their injection of fresh approach of adding pieces of their costume during the performance.

Tribu Tultugan of Maasin, on the other hand, failed to secure their crown as Kasadyahan defending champion and relinquish it to Tribu Kahilwayan who did a very good job of telling their story of independence in an impeccable manner with the accompanying drum and bugle band.

I'm going to the Dinagyang Festival tomorrow to watch the increasingly competitive Kasadyahan contest and on Sunday for the ultimate ati tribe competition. This was all planned a week ago so work-related stuffs are going to a halt starting tonight. I'm already fully aware of things I need to do and bring with me to the city. This is a whole day affair. No, make that a 2-days, non-stop, affair. Just so you know. The festival doesn't end right after the contests end. Party people are not going to sleep this weekend.

Some things to bring and remember.

• A cellphone and adequate loads to last you two days. You, definitely, want to keep in touch with the rest of the gangs. It's no fun dancing and drinking alone.
• Anything that shoots photos, for the world to see the party-animal in you. No, really. Apart from taking colorful tribe uniforms/costume, you need to show off your own. Come on, max-out your flickr account.
• Extra clothes. Unless you're totally comfortable drenched in your own sweat or that of the person beside you while watching the parade under the sweltering heat of the sun, it's ok wear the same shirt for the whole day. On this day and time, stripping is frowned upon so please don't.
• Cash. You're to a party place. You're not going to just stand there and watch all day, do you? They don't give away free drinks around here anymore - in Kalibo's Ati-atihan festival, they used to. Buy some drinks and join the fun.
• Don't bring weapons of any kind. Otherwise, you risk getting caught and spend time in jail rather than in streets. Don't be carried away. Although, there will be warriors roaming the city streets, they're all for the show. We're not at war my friend.
• Formulate lame excuses for not coming home or going home very early the next day. Did I say some people are not going sleep over the weekend? I think I mean they're not going home this weekend. Most of them will be sleeping for sure from all the alcohols they'll take.

These are just some that I can think of right now. Care to add yours?

Here's something very useful for motorists. IDFI has the traffic plan for this coming saturday and sunday events. This is really helpful not only to those wishing to take their car to the city but also to the commuters. It shows us how to get to avoid getting stuck in a bottle somewhere and eventually missing performances of our favorite tribes.

During last year's dinagyang festival, I stayed home and watched performances on TV. This year, I'm going to see them live. One more good reason why this traffic/parade route is a must: to be able to find a better spot to take tons of photos. To borrow from today's teens; this year I going to be soooo there.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the same route that tribes are using during their night rehearsals.

A few people asked us through our Contact Us form about where they can purchase seat tickets in various dinagyang judging areas this coming saturday and sunday. We're deeply sorry for the delay as we are as oblivious as you are until the cool folks over at IDFI enlightened us.

Somebody from Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. just informed us today that the newly reconstructed and redesigned www.dinagyangfoundation.com is up and running. I just checked minutes ago and the site is still in the process of updating their pages.

A total of 20 participating tribes will be competing for the major awards at stake in this year’s Dinagyang Festival.

The tribes committee of the organizing Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation said the tribes competition will now compete under one category.

The twenty tribes that have confirmed to join are Tribus Silak, Angola, Atub-Atub, Pana-ad, Paghidaet, Pag-asa, Kalubihan, Aninipay, Baryohanon, Ilonganon, Himala, Pari-anon, Hamili, Halimau, San Pedro, Bantu, “Ang Taga Jaro,” Dagyaw-Ta, Familia Sagrada and Molave.

The Cofradia del Señor Santo Niño de Cebu-Iloilo Chapter of the San Jose Parish recently bared a program of activities to celebrate the feast of Señor Santo Niño from January 19th to 28th.

This year’s religious theme for the celebration is “We remember, we celebrate, we believe.”

Major thoroughfares in Iloilo City will be closed tomorrow afternoon for the Opening Salvo of Dinagyang 2007 Ati. The final count of 20 tribes will be traversing the dinagyang parade route. Mr Ben Jimena of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) over an interview with a local radio station said that the tribes, even though not in their contest uniforms which are kept secret until contest day, will be wearing colorful attires for tomorrows parade. Definitely, the parade will be a sign of things to come.

Opening Parade Of Jaro Fiesta Sa Dinagyang Festival 2007

Venue:
Jaro Plaza
Iloilo City