‘Parade of Lights’ to add color to 50th year of Dinagyang fest

FILE: Iloilo’s famous Dinagyang Festival (Tony Magdaraog / Shutterstock)

ILOILO CITY — The parade of floats bedecked with flowers and lights has been added as among the highlights of the 2018 Dinagyang Festival, which also marks the golden year of its annual celebration.

Lawyer Raul Anlocotan, who spearheads the event, on Friday said that the parade of lighted floats is open to business corporations and companies, local government units (LGUs), civic clubs and associations, civil society organizations, higher education institutions and school organizations.

Anlocotan said that gold must serve as the prominent color to depict the 50th year of the festival.

The float, decorated with flowers, balloons and ribbons aside from lights shall bear the company name and logo and the “50th Anniversary of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.”

The parade slated for the evening of January 27, 2018 will start at 7:00 p.m. from Infante Street (beside the University of the Philippines-Visayas) moving towards Benigno Aquino Avenue to Megaworld and the Iloilo Convention Center.

The floats will be judged based on splendor/grandiosity at 30 percent; uniqueness and originality; lighting effects, workmanship, and creativity at 20 percent each; and originality at 10 percent. Runners-up and best float will also be recognized. They will receive cash prizes and trophies.

In addition to the parade of lights, other highlights are the Ati-ati tribe competition, Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Presentation, fluvial procession and the “Tambor, Trumpa, Martsa, Musika.”

The 2018 Dinagyang Festival will be officially launched Friday evening at the SM City event center in this city. (PNA)