Ilonggos are encouraged to embrace the festive spirit of the Dinagyang Festival by joining the “Sadsad sa Calle Real,” a vibrant community celebration along the city’s heritage zone.

Artistic director Eric Divinagracia urged revelers to move beyond being spectators and actively participate in the street merrymaking.

“I think that is the true spirit of Dinagyang –the coming together of our community. So we are inviting everyone,” he said in a statement.

Sadsad will run for three hours from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. from the Freedom Grandstand to Calle Real after the Tribes Competition on Jan. 26.

The merry-making is also an option for those with no tickets for the Tribes Competition to still witness the performances.

“It is open to everybody, it’s free for everyone. They can join the parade, they can join the merry-making,” Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), said.

Participants can join six tribes —Tribu Panaad, Tribu Calubihan, Tribu Familia Sagasa, Tribu Irong-irong, Tribu Aninipay, and Tribu Halimaw— as they showcase their performances.

Unlike traditional competitions, the tribes’ performances will focus on community engagement rather than choreography, featuring simple steps that spectators can easily follow. (PNA)