Last weekend my parents and I flew down to Iloilo City to attend the Dinagyang festival, as guests of the mayor. I was wrong in my last post - apparently my dad HAD met him before, which is how we got invited in the first place. Regardless, it was pretty cool. We (along with the other guests from my dad's office) got picked up by a police escort. I wasn't really that concerned about my safety - mostly it was just nice to see the traffic cleared from the path of our van. Though I don't really feel deserving of that kind of special treatment.
It turns out the Dinagyang festival is: 1. Contrived to promote tourism 2. A celebration of Sr. Santo Niño - the Christ child 3. A dance competition showcasing indigenous heritage.
The main event was not in the street, we ended up having reserved seats in a (thankfully shaded) grandstand. The costumes were bright and elaborate, each dance troupe was accompanied by a drumline, and I really enjoyed the sights and sounds. I took over 350 pictures, but I'll just show you two (and a bonus video).
Saturday afternoon, we took a sidetrip to a local village and got to meet a weaver. Apparently she was once part of a cooperative, but left it because its was too restrictive. She works on commission by fashion designers. I'm kind of into cottage industries, so it was pretty neat to see her little enclave and her work.
1 comment:
Of course I write all my own stuff! The festival looks really nifty, though the sound of "Sr. Santo Nino" makes me laugh.
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