The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival will represent the Philippines in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan on June 7-12 and join the other contingents for the country’s Independence Day parade in Manila on June 12.

Held every five years, the World Expo is a global gathering that highlights innovation and solutions as humankind faces issues on a global scale.

“It’s not every day you are invited to perform at the World Expo,” Dinagyang artistic director Eric Divinagracia said during a press conference on Thursday, May 29.

“If it’s the world expo, then it is the country’s best foot forward, its message to the world, and its window to the country. We were sought after. We did not present ourselves.”

Dinagyang will be joined by other Filipino performers, including Cebu’s Sinulog Festival and artists from the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Representing Iloilo will be Tribu Paghidaet, this year’s champion, composed of 14 dancers and four drummers to perform a piece titled Hinabol nga Kabuhi (Woven Lives).

“This is a basic scenario. Expect the elements – fire, wind, water, land – and we weave them together to show the lives of Ilonggos through fantasy, folklore, fiction, and imagination,” Dinagyang assistant artistic director Elbert Bañares said.

Divinagracia added that the performance is almost futuristic.

“We acknowledge that we are the stewards of the earth, we live on this earth, and we have to take care of this earth. And we should celebrate the gift of being stewards of the earth,” he said.

They will also perform during the Philippines National Day parade on June 7.

Meanwhile, the second placer in this year’s festival, Tribu Pan-ay, will represent Dinagyang to the Parada ng Kalayaan in Manila.

Its performance will focus on the theme “Ang Pagtuo Kahilwayan” (Faith is Freedom).

“This is a competition wherein nine festivals nationwide will participate. The Independence Day celebration will be graced by the President and other high officials of our country,” said Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.PNA