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ILOILO City: The “city that never sleeps” will get a taste of
the world-famous Dinagyang Festival. This city’s premiere
festivity has been invited to perform in New York City during the
Philippines’ Independence Day celebration there this June, said
Mayor Jerry Treñas.
A New York Dinagyang performance may just be
what Iloilo City needs to further promote this central Philippine
metropolis, and attract more tourists and investors.
The accommodation of the Dinagyang performers
will be shouldered by the Filipino community in New York but Treñas
said city hall will raise funds for the travel expenses of
performers.
He estimated the money needed to reach P2
million.
“We have to finance the performers’ visas,
travel and other incidental expenses of the tribe,” Treñas said.
The city government is banking on the Department
of Tourism and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to
help.
DOT and Pagcor provided financial assistance to
the Dinagyang tribe that traveled to Texas, USA, last year.
Treñas said DOT shelled out P500,000 while
Pagcor gave P1 million. The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Inc. also
spent half a million pesos..
Treñas said about 20 performers from the
winning Dinagyang tribe shall be sent to perform in New York.
The 2008 Independence Day celebration of
Filipinos in New York is expected to be the biggest in the United
States, said Treñas.
This year’s Dinagyang tribe competition
champion is Tribu Paghidaet of the La Paz National High School. It
was also declared best in performance, choreography and costume.
Dinagyang Festival is known for its lively
performers, their colorful costumes, unique drumbeats and
choreography.
-- Panay News
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