Lunch with the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at the Boardroom of West Visayas State University Hospital
“Youth is like a long weekend on Friday night. Middle age is like a long weekend on Monday afternoon.” – Richard Nelson Bolles
Indeed, it was a long weekend for veritable partyphiles as Iloilo City celebrates the 56th Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. After two years of virtual reality and limited, well, why not?
Everyone’s schedule was a mad rush from one event to another. It included lunches, dinners, celebratory cocktails and dance parties with everything ending with breakfast. Oh, well, that’s another story.
Tribu Jalaud of Calinog, Iloilo, champion at Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2023 (Photo by Jade Dequiña)
Tribu Parianon of Molo, Iloilo City, champion at Dagyang sa Barangay Competition (Photo by Jade Dequiña)
Our timetable was no exception; it was these and more! In between scheduled events, PR Man/talent manager to the stars JOJIE DINGCONG, his brother NONOY DINGCONG and businesswoman CHOLE CUENCA CHUA and yours truly made church visits (the World Heritage Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Santa Barbara Church and Convent, Santa Ana Parish in Molo, and Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral), purchase of piña at Santa Cruz in Villa Arevalo and hablon at Brgy Igdaan in Miag-ao, promenade at Festive Walk Mall, and heritage house and churche drive tour of Iloilo City Proper and Jaro District.
Pinky Tobiano, Luis Christian Singson and Jojie Dingcong
Yours truly with Chole Cuenca Chua and James Lo
The highlight of the weekend was the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2023’s Tribe Competition at the New Freedom Grandstand, which gave everyone at panoramic view of the historic Aduana Customs House, Muelle Loney and the Iloilo River! The security at the cavernous structure was tight as its efficient handlers ready for the arrival of local, national and international VIPs and celebrities, including the First Lady LIZA ARANETA-MARCOS, Mayor JERRY P. TREÑAS of Iloilo City, former Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON, Iloilo Governor ARTHUR “Toto” DEFENSOR, House Speaker MARTIN ROMUALDEZ, Uswag Partylist Rep. JAMES “Jojo” ANG, several senators and congressmen, foreign dignitaries, taipans, top mainstream and social media practitioners, socialites and local who’s who.
Raymond Villanueva, Jor-el Espina, Miguel Cordova, Dr. Ronald Lanz Rodriguez Latap and yours truly
Jojie Dingcong, Jor-el Espina and Miguel Lopez Vargas
Yours truly, George J. Cordero and Jojie Dingcong
While traffic was expected but so-so managed, the jamming of the signal for security purposes was a letdown! It set everyone in a state of confusion for hours. ”It was the only fly in the ointment in the otherwise festive celebration,” opined a balikbayan seated in fron of me at the grandstand.
Nevertheless, festive mood continued till midnight and, in some venues, till wee hours.
Chole Cuenca Chua, Jojie Dingcon and yours truly at the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria at Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral
The altar and aisle of Sta. Barbara Church
The side entrance of Sta. Barbara Church
Jojie Dingcong, Small Laude, yours truly, Megaworld Iloilo VP Jennifer Fong, Festive Walk Mall Manager Karmela Jesena and museum staffers at Brandy Museum in Megaworld Iloilo Business Park
Jojie Dingcong, Small Laude and Gov. Toto Defensor
Yours truly with the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
Yours truly with Jojie Dingcong, Small Laude and Chole Cuenca Chua at the Batchoy Festival in SM City Iloilo
Small Laude and yours truly at the Mayor’s Ball
Yours truly with Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava and wife Mia
Miss Iloilo Universe 2023 Chloei Gabales, Miss Iloilo World 2023 Raniele Shaine Saulog and Miss Iloilo Binibini 2023 Tracy Lois Bedua
Allan Tan and Iloilo City Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna
SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and IFFI President Joemarie Layson
Timmy Yap, Small Laude and Karen Davila
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and Tessa Prieto
Patrick Rosas, Anton Toa and Andrew Gan
Small Laude and Jonathan Matti
Kristin Magbanua-Ledesma, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and Paul Ledesma