Fresh from a historic grand slam win, the Tultugan Festival of Maasin is looking to showcase its artistry on a bigger stage, with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. backing its possible participation in the Dinagyang Festival Tribes Competition next year.
Defensor welcomed the proposal earlier raised by Maasin Mayor Francis Amboy, highlighting that Tultugan’s third consecutive championship at the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan has cemented the festival as one of Iloilo’s strongest cultural showcases.
“Indi ini desisyon sang probinsya,” the governor clarified, noting that final approval rests with the Iloilo City Government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), the official organizer of Dinagyang.
Despite this, provincial officials view Tultugan’s potential inclusion as a testament to the rising standard of Iloilo’s local festivals, celebrated for their artistic creativity, discipline, and rich cultural storytelling that continue to draw national attention.
Mayor Amboy previously announced that Maasin intends to test its contingent on the Dinagyang stage following this year’s grand slam, an achievement that has encouraged the town to explore wider exposure for its cultural identity.
Meanwhile, IFFI is set to discuss Tultugan’s possible entry with its Board of Directors. Dinagyang Festival Director Eric Divinagracia noted that the festival has a long history of welcoming tribes from outside Iloilo City, citing past participants such as Antique’s Binirayan Festival.
If approved, Tultugan’s participation could mark another milestone for Maasin while further enhancing Dinagyang’s reputation as one of the country’s most inclusive and premier heritage festivals.IMT
