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Dinagyang Festival's mother, Kalibo Ati-Atihan in Kasadyahan Festival. Ati-Atihan is back in Iloilo once more!

For most of its history, Kasadyahan is a cultural-dance performance showdown that is the warm-up for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival climax in Iloilo City. Back then, most of the performances were from contingents that depict the Ilonggo or Panayanon “mainstream” culture through dance. Then later, it became “festival of Iloilo festivals” as the town fiestas of the province of Iloilo compete and showcase their town’s best.

Bacolod's MassKara Festival in Iloilo City

Yet this 2012, it simply went beyond—it went to become Western Visayas’ regional festival of festivals! Something that has never been done almost half-a-decade! The best fiestas converge in Iloilo that Saturday, including the “mother of all Philippine street dance festivals,” Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan, and Bacolod’s MassKara Festival. It was an unexpected development.

Kasadyahan is Celebrating!

Kasadyahan is a Hiligaynon/Ilonggo term meaning “to make merry” or “celebration,” synonymous to the root word of Dinagyang. It is indeed a celebration of life and culture of the people of Western Visayas.

The power of emotions captivate spectators in the Salakayan Festival performance of Miagao

Salakayan Festival of Miagao, Iloilo

Salakayan's performance were derived from the old Spanish colonial-era Moro-Moro plays

Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Iloilo won as the champion for this year’s Kasadyahan. Fiery emotions coming from the members and making the old Moro-Moro plays of the Spanish colonial era adapted to the present cultural-dance drama, has made it remarkable. Also, the history of the town and its most precious treasure, the World Heritage Site of Iglesia de Santo Tomas de Villanueva, the patadyong and hablon—all synonymous to the town, were depicted.

Tribu Mandaragat of Antique

Big Fans of Mandaragat

Meanwhile, Tribu Mandaragat of Antique depicted fisheries as one of Antique’s main produce and income.

Hubon Sinulog sa Oracon of Sibunag, Guimaras

Hubon Sinulog sa Oracon of Sibunag, Guimaras meanwhile displayed the island’s known “mango colours” of green and yellow, as they danced their way of life, the province’s main produce “mango” and the festive atmosphere living in a simple countryside community.

Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City

Go Fish! at Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City

Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City, Capiz showcased their rich aquaculture and fisheries resources through the movements and the beat of the drums. Notable was the big prawn.

Tribu Maragtas of West Visayas State University

Ladies of Tribu Maragtas singing their hearts out

The mainstay of the Kasadyahan Festival is Tribu Maragtas of West Visayas State University. In today’s standards, this contingent is unique for not going to the trend of fast-paced drum beats and dance. Instead, they maintained a cultural show depicting various aspects of Panayanon or Ilonggo culture and praises to the Señor Santo Niño.

Sigabong sang mga Kanyon of Bago City, Negros Occidental

Amakan cannon -- yet this one really explodes!

Sigabong sang mga Kanyon from Bago City in Negros Occidental offers a glimpse of plantation lifestyle and the amakan cannons that were used to scare the Spanish colonial authorities during the Cinco de Noviembre event in 1898. This contingent though shot a loud bang during the festivities.

The Atis of Palayag sa Buenavista of Buenavista, Guimaras

Palayag sa Buenavista of Guimaras offered a glimpse of Moro-Moro and the Ati culture.

Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City

Reminiscent of MassKara is Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City, Negros Occidental, also joined the Kasadyahan.

Tribu Panguyang of Antique

Babayalnes of Tribu Panguyang

And Tribu Panguyang, also from Antique Province, dance their way in depicting the Panayanon rituals of Panguyang or offering goods to spirits–a heritage from pre-Hispanic Panayanons and giving emphasis on shamans or babaylanes. 

MassKara Festival performing at Freedom Grandstand in downtown Iloilo City

MassKara Festival in Kasadyahan

Kasadyahan became a mardi-gras when visitors from Bacolod City graced the event with its famed “dancing smiling masks” of MassKara Festival, held every October.

Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara Iloilo

Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara Iloilo

Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, Iloilo came back with its cry for independence and stunts on bamboo in which they became famous all throughout the archipelago. It is uniquely one of the few street dance and dance-cultural shows depicting a historical battle between the revolucionarios (in Panay its Ejercito Libertador, not Katipunan) and the Spanish colonial forces.

Kalibo Ati-Atihan comes back at Iloilo once more

However, it was a sentimental and joyous ending for Kasadyahan as “The Mother of Dinagyang” herself made her way back to Iloilo City’s streets, after for so long. Kalibo Ati-Atihan made their sadsad (street dancing) with its hypnotic drumbeats and simple choreography. It was indeed “a back to the roots” for this Dinagyang season.

40 years ago, Iloilo City's streets were like this...the origins of Dinagyang

...and the crowd likes dancing with Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival

In the 1960s, upon the arrival of Señor Santo Niño de Cebú at Iloilo, Ati warriors danced around Plaza Libertad in joy and celebration. The authorities back then even have to bring Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan dancers to grace the event. The Ilonggo oldies remember the old sadsad days, way before fast-paced choreography and spectator-fest Dinagyang came to be. It was indeed a great day as the crowd swelled and joined the revelers. I like this group to come back next year. I’m happy too since it was my taste of what it means to be in Ati-Atihan (spent several years in Panay Island but never been to Ati-Atihan since it hits during mid-terms back at college).

More Photos of Kasadyahan sa Dinagyang Festival, Click Here.

Like Dinagyang, Kasadyahan has evolved from a simple “warm-up” cultural performance, into a regional fiesta of fiestas in the fiesta isles of Western Visayas. Truly depicting on how it is More Fun here in the Philippines!

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Few days before Sinulog, I was scrambling to get a way to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival. For the moment, I thought I wouldn’t be pushing through with my las celebraciones grandes de enero—a feat which I last made in 2007 when I celebrated both grand festivals in a year. Then I was informed, something beyond what I was expecting…the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation asked me to become one of the judges for street dancing competition! I was speechless and to be honest, it is beyond what I have been expecting for. My original plan was just to cover Dinagyang the way I cover it for the past few years. Yes, I took the offer as an honor for my service for my beloved banwa (hometown). I was placed on a different perspective…from appreciation to decision-making. This Dinagyang season changed the way I see Iloilo’s grandest fiesta.

The good news is, after weeks of rain in the Visayas, Haring Araw was there to say hello all over the weekend!

Morning Has Broken in Iloilo...like the first moooorning...

Iloilo Airport: A thing of beauty this early

Day 1: 21 January 2011

I immediately rushed to NAIA Terminal 3 for an early morning flight to Iloilo, after taking a half-day leave from the office. By the time I reached NAIA, the lines were already packed. People for the first flight of the day were lining up at the check-in lobby of this controversial terminal (wait till we see its full operation—mukhang puno na kaagad ang T3). I took the first flight out via AirPhil Express, and boy oh boy, the pre-departure area is already jam-packed with tourists!

Teh, grabe na yan camwhoring...Hehe!

Iloilo Airport Control Tower

Oist Taralets na!

Around 6AM, I arrived at the airport. Ahh, the fresh air from the rice fields…walang ganyan sa Maynila! For the moment I thought I went home to relax, but it was the start of my working weekend as one of the judges in this festival. So, I went on to the city through a shuttle van and headed straight to the city. 7AM—the city proper’s streets were already closed! The jeepneys were already rerouted towards Robinsons. My hotel is in the heart of the action—some kilometer and a half away from the drop off point! Oh well, exercise! Anyway, I have always loved to walk in Iloilo’s charming downtown—even on ordinary days…and nights!

The Traffic Starts Here at General Luna Street...Mahaba-habang lakaran to!

One of the reasons why I love walking in downtown Iloilo City--heritage streetscape

The old downtown Iloilo City is closed to vehicular traffic during Dinagyang weekends

There was a parade at Calle Real—of kids and some grown-ups from different schools of the city. I guess this is the Turumba, Banda show wherein the kids would dance in tune of the marching band. Looks like everyone is warming up for the big celebration this coming weekend! So of I went to the hotel, ate my breakfast and slept a few hours.

The naughty side of Calle Real...hehe!

More Calle Real in the morning

And that's my favorite Calle Real building

That afternoon, I was introduced to my fellow judges. Most of them are de calibre judges indeed! Coming from CCP, NCCA, different choreographers, artists, tourism officers, designers, and instructors—all of them has this inclination on cultural dance and performance. They are from Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, even from people behind MassKara and Panaad in Negros and Sinulog of Cebu! At first, I was shy talking with them…nahuya ko abi kay dalagku sila nga mga tawu. But I overcame my fear and eventually acquainted with them. For almost three days that we were together, I was introduced on a whole new perspective on how to appreciate Dinagyang and the festivals that our country take pride of. Sadya man sa ila kaupod! Daw nahidlaw na ko sa ila ba!

The folks at Street Dancing - Dinagyang street dance judges and me

The judges at performance area in Dinagyang 2011

The judges of Dinagyang with CCP Board of Trustees Adviser Nestor Jardin, and NCCA vice chair for dance Miss Shiela Halili

Later in the afternoon, after meeting Eric Dee of Byahilo and Marc of Explore Iloilo for processing the media passes (which earlier came into a controversial issue amongst local media and local photographers due to drastic changes implemented), I went on for my first task—deciding which of the tribes has the best costume. Too bad I missed the fluvial and foot procession! I could’ve seen the tribes wearing their costumes, which I think would be better to appreciate rather than just in a mannequin or stand.

As night fell and have already finished my first task, I went to Plazuela de Iloilo to meet Marc and Eric. But whoahoho!!! I have to walk from Central Market all the way to Jalandoni Flyover and the crowd by that time was thick! Whew! Go urban explorer!

Kalbaryo man sa tingin pero exercise pa rin! Haha! It was a long walk from the hotel towards the nearest jeepney loading area. Traffic wasn’t that bad but it was the last day of the annual Luces in the Sky or Dinagyang’s fireworks competition. As always, Diversion and the open spaces were full of people—but they moved it on a weekday! I wish they have just placed it on weekends, like the way it used to.

Oy kagahod, may gatulog di!!! LOL!

Meeting Marc and Eric, we were at the second floor of Plazuela de Iloilo, a new strip mall just beside SM City Iloilo.

Fireworks were so-so…ho-hum. The announcer was far and the crowd was noisy. It looks like a disappointing year for the fireworks until one surprised us with a bang! We thought it was the Singaporean guests, but nooo—they were from Santa Maria, Bulacan! The Singaporean guests were…well, lame at first but booming by the end—but they couldn’t take away the grasp that the crowd gave to the Bulacan contingent.

The night falls at Calle Real

It was a done deal. We head towards Smallville and have some booze. I have to return early, because it’s the first real day for my job. Kasadyahan is nearing…and I have to prepare. Thank goodness to San Miguel and Don José Cuervo, I went to lalaland easily that night.

To be continued…

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Tribu Kasag of Banate in Kasadyahan 2010

Magsinadya kita! That’s what we do during Dinagyang. Sadya is a Hiligaynon term meaning “happy, joy or fun.” The Dinagyang Festival street dancing starts not on the Ati-Ati competition but with the Kasadyahan Festival. Held on a Saturday before the Ati-Atihan highlight of Dinagyang, it is a cultural dance parade, contest and showcase of Iloilo’s kabanwahanan or towns and several institutions within the city and the province (and I heard it is also open to all towns in Panay Island as well!) You don’t get to see soot-covered Ati warriors dancing during Kasadyahan like what most of us know about Dinagyang though. By the beat of the music and interpretative dance, the contingents showcase a myriad of cultural topics that is incorporated in every Ilonggo, from history to current events.

Tribu Manurriaonon of Mandurriao Iloilo City

Because of its success in recent years, Kasadyahan became distinct from Dinagyang. With the increasing number of kabanwahanan contingents joining Kasadyahan, it has become a “festival of Iloilo’s festivals.” This year, it would be the last Kasadyahan to be held on a Saturday before Dinagyang…as it will be moved to a new schedule, perhaps coinciding Iloilo province’s foundation week or Semana sang Iloilo. And with its exit with Dinagyang, the contingents showcased their best through dance drama.

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

Most contingents this year interpreted in dance drama…nope, not your usual interpretative dance. But dance with drama…with music (pwedeng live or “canned”). Street dancing is still persistent in their presentation…they have executed their moves in swift and sometimes unpredictable dance. Anyway, this year’s performers were the most vibrant among I’ve seen in recent years. There was intense energy and emotions outpouring each and every presentation…and I guess four tribes were able to exhibit such anguish in their work that they may be put into a Broadway musical!

There were 9 tribes that joined in this year’s Kasadyahan and most of them are from the provincial towns of Iloilo.

Tribu Mandurriaonon featured the bounties and harvesting bananas.

Tribu Mandurriaonon

Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy and NIPSC featured the struggle of the Ajuynons during the marauding pirate raids and the use of tambobo or weaved container. Surprisingly, Captain Jack Sparrow was there!

Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy

Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena was reminiscent of the historical Kahilwayan of Santa Barbara…the fight for freedom against the Spanish colonialists and the series of events that lead to the “Cry of Jelucuon,” supposedly the first outbreak of Ilonggo revolt in 1898.

Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena

Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan meanwhile was more of a dramatic case of a disaster striking a community and its eventual recovery and displaying faith for the Almighty.

Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan

Tribu Kasag of Banate depicts more on marine bounty most especially the town’s most famed product, the blue crab or kasag. By the way, they were the defending winner (and is still now).

Tribu Kasag of Banate

Tribu Pantat of Zarraga showcases its town’s main product, the pantat or catfish…from harvesting to the skewers over hot ember.

Tribu Pantat of Zarraga

Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo celebrates bountiful harvests of the Barotacnons.

Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan proudly displays their famed recipe, tinu-om nga manok (chicken tinu-om) from preparation to cooking and serving.

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras depict the life of the Igbarasnons together with their culture along the River Tangyan and their struggle against a menacing snake . They have also showcased Iloilo’s very own weaving of patadyong…the gold mine way before the sugar industry came in this side of the country.

Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras

Joining the festivities were non-competing contingents:

Tribu Hubon Palayag of Buenavista, Guimaras – depicting the link between the Guimarasnons and the seafaring culture and the bounties of the sea. The group also presented the vestige of Moro-Moro play that was prevalent in the Visayas during the Spanish colonial era.

Tribu Hubon Palayag of Buenavista Guimaras

Tribu Binanog (?) of Lambunao displayed and performed in full cultural regalia of the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous people of Central Panay and its famed sugidanon and the tradition of binukot. They also performed a traditional dance of the Panay Bukidnon  called binanog, a dance depicting two eagles court each other in the sky and mate.

Tribu Binanog of Lambunao

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The winners for 2010 Kasadyahan Festival were:

For the minor awards, Tribu Kasag swept almost all of the awards including best in choreography and performance. Here’s the complete list:

• Best in Street Dancing – Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo
• Best in Costume – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Music – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Choreography – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Performance – Tribu Kasag of Banate

Major awards:

• Champion – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• 1st Runner-up – Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan
• 2nd Runner-up – Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo
• 3rd Runner-up – Tribu Pantat of Zarraga
• 4th Runner-up – Tribu Mandurriaonon of Mandurriao District, Iloilo City
• Consolation prize – Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

More photos of Kasadyahan here: