Dinagyang Festival - Philippines

A religious and cultural festival celebrated in a city of Philippines. This festival usually celebrates on the fourth Sunday of January every year. This time it is coming on 22 January 2013 (only a few days to go). This festival is to honor the Santo Nino. This festival is celebrated from 1967 in the city Iloilo City, Philippines. We can classify this festival into 3 parts, Miss Dinagyang, Ati-Ati Street Dancing, Kasadyahan Street Dancing. Ati-Ati street dancing is the dancing performed by the Ati tribes on the streets. Drum music will be performed along with this dancing, even also we can say that they dance for for this music. It is a colorful event in Philippines. The word "Dinagyang" devired from the word "dagyang". It means to make happy. Dagoy is the official festival mascot of Dinagyang. We can say it is a mixture of dance, music and dramatical performance. This festival/event was voted as the best tourism event for three consecutive years for 2006,2007,2008. Ati-Ati dancing is performed by the people who has their body painted black. As a part of this festival, there would be a golf competition. Many ambassadors from countries like Greece, Australia, Korea, France, Turkey will present in this festival as a guest. Usually this festival starts with a mass in the church around 5:30 am in the morning. In 1974, this festival has a special performance called "Operation Balikbayan", a performance by the tribes who provide the tourist a unique form of cultural entertainment. It was organized or produced by ministry of tourism, Philippines. It would be very excellent entertainment, if you are a visitor. Plan to visit this time and be a part of this festival. Enjoyment would be endless.  Thanks for Reading. Do comment your ideas or information.