The recent 2026 Dinagyang Festival served as a platform for raising public awareness on the endemic flora and fauna species in Western Visayas.

Festival Director Eric Divinagracia, in a media interview on Tuesday, said that in terms of content and artistic expression, the festival was successful because it conveyed a more meaningful message; the tribes effectively interpreted the species they selected during their presentations.

“Probably one way of really raising awareness to our flora and fauna, endemic species and the message of protecting our environment is through the Dinagyang. We may not see the impact immediately, but at least it’s a step forward,” Divinagracia said.

He expressed his gratitude to the West Visayas State University Biology Department for providing information, and the National Museum of the Philippines for posting about the animals to raise the awareness of spectators.

Divinagracia said they are looking to feature more endemic species next year.

Seven endemic species were featured during the Tribes Competition – the Visayan warty pig, Panay monitored lizard, Gigantes limestone frog, Philippine long-tailed monkey, Visayan hornbill, Maral leopard cat and the Visayan spotted deer.

Meanwhile, Divinagracia said the Dinagyang is still about Ilonggo culture and tradition.

“I guess it’s really about depicting the Ilonggo culture. Dinagyang is not just about the Indigenous People or the Ati. Before, the narratives centered on the Barter of Panay, which we know has been debunked already as a myth, but it’s still part of our folklore,” he said.

The festival director said that staging the Dinagyang is always a big challenge, but all decisions go through consultations, discussions and approval from authorities.

Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. chairperson Judgee Peña, in a separate interview, said that next year. the festival will return to its original or traditional route with four or five stages in the downtown area, with carousel-type performances. (PNA)