This is Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, Philippines.
It is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of Baby Jesus in the island that eventually turned the culture and faith of the community for the better -- like how the story went to the rest of the world ...
It is such a great privilege to witness and cover this great event in the Visayas Island. It is then with utmost pride that we highly recommend to local and foreign tourists alike to also experience this festival of all festivals! While it is a celebration of culture and faith, it is very much a celebration of life, of triumph amidst difficulties, of rising above the storm, of going and moving on, of climbing the highest mountains with vigor, optimism and strong faith in our hearts.
Yours truly decided to borrow the music sang by a fellow Ilonggo composer and singer Raffy Buenavidez not only because of its beat but also because of its message. He composed and sang this song after the strongest typhoon Haiyan devastated the region to give encouragement to everyone. The title "Bangon, Tindog, Sulong Western Visayas" can be loosely translated to Get Up, Rise Up, Move Forward Western Visayas.
When we celebrate the Dinagyang Festival, we celebrate not only the arrival of Sto Nino or Baby Jesus. We celebrate how He protects us from the wickedness and snares of the devil. His love for us transforms us. His power lifts us up when we fall, more so at times we feel desperate and hopeless. Fueled by optimism and hope only He can give... we Rise Up and Move On.
And we Ilonggos, just know how to celebrate this kind of shift in our lives -- we sing, dance and exclaim that We Can!
Let this message of hope reverberate in our hearts and minds - always.
Mabuhay! Long Live Philippines!
Cheers,
Elma