The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo will feature the innovative ILOmination Philippine Light Festival, a new highlight meant to enchant spectators. This festival will bring together top light festival crews from across the Philippines and is set as a fresh element of the longstanding celebration that began in 1967.

The festival honors the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and is celebrated every fourth Sunday of January, with this year’s date falling on January 26. Initially launched in 2023, the light festival symbolizes a triumphant return to joy following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elvert Bañares, the Director for Arts and Culture at Iloilo Festivals Foundation, expressed hope that the event would inspire cultural exchange and promote a spirit of unity via faith and creativity. He stated, “We hope this kind of cultural exchange will be sustained and become more meaningful. Now, we want to spread it to the world. Let’s illuminate the nation through faith, culture, arts, creativity, and unity.”

The ILOmination Philippine Light Festival complements the traditional Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, with a grand prize exceeding $8,000. Competing groups include the Pandang Gitab, the official festival of Oriental Mindoro; Pavvurulun Afi Festival from Tuguegarao City; Tanglawan Festival from Bulacan; Hermosa Festival from Zamboanga City; and Bailes de Luces Festival from Negros Occidental. Last year’s champion, Tribu Sidlangan, will perform alongside Iloilo’s Banaag Festival, the sole light festival in the province.