11 tribes join ‘pamukaw’ today 

To signal the start of the Iloilo Dinagyang 2013 season, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. will hold a ‘pamukaw’ or street dancing of the festival’s participating tribes at 2 p.m. today.

These 11 tribes are Ilonganon, Atub-Atub, Buntatalan-on, Molave, Milagrosa, Panayanon, Pag-asa, Angola, Salognon, Aninipay and Bantu. 

2012 champion Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School and Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School are not joining because of internal reasons.

Some streets will be closed to give way to the parade which will start from Bonifacio Drive (in front of the Iloilo Capitol building), will pass at Fermin Caram Street, J.M. Basa Street and proceed to the Freedom Grandstand for a short program, then to Plaza Libertad as their dispersal area. 

IDFI President Ramon Cua Locsin said the activity will give them a preview of how prepared the tribes are for the festival on Jan. 26 and 27, 2013.

The tribes will perform again in the Opening Salvo on Jan. 18, 2013.

City Tourism Officer Benedicto Jimena warned the tribes anew that if they give a lousy presentation, they will be discouraged from joining the festival.

This, even if they were already given their P150,000 subsidy this month. The remaining allowance will be released next month.

The IDFI has allotted P285,000 subsidy for the top 10 tribes in 2012 while the rest will get P235,000 each.

DINAGYANG CANDIDATES 

The 10 candidates of Miss Dinagyang 2013 will also join the parade, according to organizer Alex Soncio.

He also announced the pre-pageant events, which are: Swimwear competition, December 18, Providence Subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo; Fantasy Make-up on December 20 at Robinsons Place Iloilo; outreach program at the Asilo de Molo on December 22; Talent and Festival Costume Competition, Jan. 1, 2013 at Robinsons Place Iloilo; and Jetski and Swimsuit Fashion Show on January 12 at the Iloilo Esplanade.

The coronation will be on January 23 at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium. 

Soncio said the judges would be Miss Universe 1999 First Runner-up Miriam Quiambo, actress Ruffa Gutierrez, models John Spainhour and June Macasaet, and disc jockey David Callum.   

He added they are eyeing City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s wife Maria Victoria to be the chief judge.*