Iloilo City (CNN Philippines) — Liberal Party (LP) candidates for president and vice president Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Rep. Leni Robredo were among who those attended the 2016 Dinagyang Festival Ati-ati Tribe competition at the Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City on Sunday (January 24).
The two LP standard bearers said they were amazed after witnessing the performances by ten competing tribes wearing headdresses made of feathers and other indigenous materials.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said aside from Roxas and Robredo, there were also foreign envoys who took part in celebrating the feast of Senior Santo Niño.
“Actually, this year’s Dinagyang is very successful since there are a lot of foreign dignitaries joined the event. We have here ambassadors from Russia, Switzerland, China, Germany, Indonesia and Nigeria,” Mabilog said.
Mabilog also revealed that there were countries which already sent them invitation letters to perform abroad.
“In fact, Hongkong and China both requested us to perform during their Chinese New year next month. Also this year, we will be performing in New Zealand as per request by their government,” shared Mabilog.
Dinagyang performers have already performed in Singapore, Guam, Japan, and South Korea.
In terms of visitors, Mabilog said the tourist arrivals in Iloilo were increasing.
In 2010, the crowd was estimated to be less than 500,000 thousand.
But this year, Mabilog said they were expecting more than a million people.
“As a matter of fact, 1,500 city and municipal mayors around the Philippines are with us here today to celebrate the Dinagyang 2016,” he added.
