With 2013 as an election year, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) does not want the Dinagyang Festival to become a venue for political campaigns, thus it has decided to ban all political advertisements and other campaign materials in the judging and parade areas on Jan. 26 and 27, 2013.

“Politicians are welcome here all the time. But, this is an early warning to prevent any inconvenience for them. If they will make a financial contribution, we will just acknowledge their names. But no speeches,” said Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena during yesterday’s press conference at the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) building.

Jimena admitted they have sent out invitations to public officials particularly President Benigno Aquino III but so far, they have not received any confirmation.

He said there are personnel who will monitor and remove political campaign materials from the designated sites, but they have no jurisdiction over those posted and placed within private properties.

Fr. Raymundo Edcel Alcayaga of San Jose Parish Church also expressed support for this decision because it will preserve the true essence of the festival, which is devotion to Senior Sto. Niño.

“We will control everything and impose some measures to avoid political campaigning during the masses,” he said.

TRIBES

From this year’s 13 tribes, only 11 will participate in the Ati-ati competition and nine tribes in Kasadyahan in 2013.

The registration for the former has concluded while that of the latter is until December 17.

IDFI President Cua Locsin said 2012 Dinagyang Champion Tribu Pan-ay and 2010 Dinagyang Champion Tribu Paghidaet will not join because of problems with their choreographers and practice venues.

Pan-ay’s choreographer Rommel Flogen will transfer to Iloilo City High School’s Tribu Silak.

Locsin added that they have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the participating tribes in order for the latter to follow the foundation’s rules.

The foundation will increase the cash prizes and the subsidy for the tribes, he said.

The Ati and Kasadyahan champions are set to receive P150,000, last year’s top 10 contesting tribes will get subsidy of P285,000 and the others will get P235,000 as subsidy.

The Best in Music Direction award has been added in order to inspire music directors to do better.

Locsin hopes that the tribes will improve their performances during this world-class festival.

The Dinagyang fever will start with a ‘pamukaw’ on Dec. 14, 2012.*