Dinagyang Festival
Dinagyang Festival is a showcase of the rich heritage, colorful history, passionate devotion, and fun-loving spirit of the Ilonggo people. The festival traces its roots as a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Senyor Santo Niño, the child Jesus. Today, it has grown to be one of the Philippines’ most spectacular religious and cultural festivals.
The festival highlights are scheduled on the fourth weekend of January in addition to many exciting activities happening all throughout the month. The religious highlights include the fluvial procession along the Iloilo River and the Dinagyang Ati cultural parade and competition.
Outside the stages, everyone can enjoy the colorful costumes, thundering drum beats, and energetic dances of the performers. The tribes perform streetdance routines along the entire parade route. Vehicles are prohibited to enter the parade route and nearby streets. Walking is the prime mode of transportation within Iloilo City Proper during the festivities.
HOW TO GET TO ILOILO
Iloilo is one of the most accessible cities in the Philippines. Iloilo can be reached by plane on regular commercial international flights from Hong Kong and Singapore to the Iloilo International Airport. Direct domestic flights connect Iloilo to major cities in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos , Puerto Princesa, and Cagayan de Oro. Direct ferry routes and roll-on roll-off connections on the Philippines’ nautical highway are also available between Iloilo and all major cities in the country.
Iloilo International Airport
The Iloilo International Airport is the primary gateway to Iloilo. It serves regularly scheduled direct domestic flights to Iloilo from major Philippine airlines including Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos , Puerto Princesa, and Cagayan de Oro. The airport also serves international flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore. Flights to Iloilo are served by Cebu Pacific , Philippine Airlines , PAL Express, and CebGo. Promo fares are frequently announced by these airlines for travelers looking for a good deal on flights. The Iloilo Airport is located approximately 19 kilometers or 20 minutes away by taxi from Iloilo City.
Iloilo Seaports
Ferries in Iloilo depart and arrive at various seaports in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province depending on the route and vessel type. (1) Ferry terminals along the Iloilo River in Lapuz district, Iloilo City serves fastcraft ferries from Bacolod , RORO ferries from Guimaras , and ferries from Palawan. (2) The Iloilo Domestic Port in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper serves shipping companies with routes from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga . (3) Pumpboat (motorized outrigger) ferries from Jordan, Guimaras arrive at Ortiz Port in Iloilo City Proper, while pumpboat ferries from Buenavista, Guimaras arrive at Parola Wharf at the mouth of the Iloilo River in Iloilo City Proper. All ferries from Guimaras will soon relocate to the Guimaras Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola after its completion. (4) RORO ferries from Bacolod are stationed at Dumangas Port in Iloilo Province.