By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY — The three-day highlights of Iloilo’s 2019 Dinagyang Festival officially kicked off with the drum and bugle corps and lyre competition held at the new grandstand on Friday.
A total of 20 teams composed of 14 elementary and six secondary schools in the city and province vied for the win in their respective categories.
Junel Ann Divinagracia, City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) head, in welcoming participants, said the competition has become bigger and better with the innovations being introduced by the Department of Education (DepEd).
This and other activities “color and add spice to our devotion to our Sr. Santo. Niño,” she said.
“The wide array of activities during Dinagyang partake the nature of drum beats, and sounds of trumpets wherein we can say that these varieties of expressions elevate our standards and taste as a people,” she said.
Clarissa G. Zamora, officer-in-charge of the office of the Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent, said this year’s theme “Connecting Communities Through Culture and Faith” is very fitting for the event.
“We come from different localities, from different schools yet we are gathered this morning to showcase our talents and skills. We are united despite our diversity. And we are showing off our Ilonggo knowledge, skills and talents,” she said.
Zamora said the activity will enhance the skills and talents of elementary and secondary school students.
“We would like to continue with the preservation of Ilonggo culture and the arts because Iloilo is a great city in the Philippines. We should not lose track but we should be committed to showcasing and preserving Ilonggo culture and the arts,” she added.
The participating groups for the elementary level included Quintin Salas, La Paz, Iloilo Central, A. Mirasol, A. Montes, Baluarte, Alimodian, Sambag, Ungka II, Rizal, Mandurriao, Feleciano Java Kelly, Arevalo, and Dingle Central 1.
For the secondary level the competing drum corps are the Ramon Avanceña National High School, Iloilo City National High School, Tambaliza National High School, Dingle National High School, Ajuy National High School, and Balete National High School.
The winners will be announced during the grand awarding ceremony on Sunday evening.
