Lifestyle
Dinagyang Arts Festival to Highlight Local Artists
Local artists here will be given the spotlight in the “Hala Bira Dinagyang Arts Festival” this year.
Iloilo City Councilor Jose Efraim ‘Jay’ Treñas III said that it is high time that local artists are given the due recognition they deserve in one of the biggest festivals in the world.
“This aims to give the local artists the spotlight and to showcase the culture and arts that we have developed through the years,” he said, adding that these artists have taken a backseat in the past editions of the festival.
He said that this year the city government has allocated budget through the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) for the various events lined up for this initiative.
On January 10, the festival will kick off “Hala Bira Opening Salvo” featuring the Hala Bira Cinekasimanwa Dagyang Edition Premiere Night, Hala Bira Rampa, and Hala Bira Banda.
The Hala Bira CineKasimanwa Dagyang Edition has slated scheduled programming of Ilonggo films in malls from January 11 to 25.
On January 18, the Hala Bira Dinagyang Week Opening will feature the Ilonggo Arts Community at SM City Southpoint.
The Hala Bira Drama Saot kag Kanta will showcase the USA Little Theater and Iloilo Theater Arts Festival Community on January 20 at SM City Iloilo, while the Iloilo Choral Groups and the Iloilo Dance Community will be featured at Robinson’s Place Jaro, Iloilo City.
On one hand, the Hala Bira Baile will be staged on January 22 featuring the Nila Clara All-Gonzales School of Classical Ballet, Sol Fernandez School of Dance, Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio School of Performing Arts, and Pauline Cordero Dingcong School of Performing Arts at SM City Iloilo.
On January 22-24, the Hala Bira sa Esplanade will feature the Iloilo Festivals Installation Art and performances from Ilonggo music artists.
The Hala Bira Rampa will showcase Iloilo Young Designers on January 23 at Robinson’s Place Jaro.
On January 26, the Hala Bira Banda will feature Iloilo local bands with original Hiligaynon songs at Plazoleta Gay. (JBG/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
