The candidates of Miss Dinagyang will be given the opportunity to be carriers of the social, cultural and educational advocacies to showcase Ilonggo’s beauty in diversity in a move to attract more tourists to the city.

The search is one of the highlights of Dinagyang Festival, the city’s premier tourism extravaganza celebrated every fourth week of January.

The festival is a Hall of Fame winner after having been selected by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) as the best tourism event in the country for the last three years.

For this year, the organizers will introduce an innovative search component where candidates will create their own gown made from recycled paper embellished with indigenous materials in deference to the green environment program of the City Government.

The candidates for Miss Dinagyang 2009 are

1. Luisa Ace Lambito, 16 years old of Savior International School
2. Jocelyn Caceres, 20, of Western Institute of Technology
3. Stephanie Juanitas, 20, of the University of Iloilo
4. Rapunzel Crystal Palma, 18, of WVSU
5. Wena Amor Paurillio, 19 of Maasin, Iloilo
6. Natalie Grace Roberts, 17, of CPU
7. Sheryl Maye Manalo, 19 of CPU
8. Marie June Bebing, 20, of University of San Agustin
9. Karla Dawn Yaneza, 18, of WVSU
10. Kharessa Jyanne Simoy, 21, USA
11. Ma. Soriel Sorel, 19, of WVSU
12. Geline Antonette Cabrera, 18 of CPU
13. Kathlene Gamboa, 18, of CPU

Here are the list of tribes to join 2009 Dinagyang Tribe Competition slated on January 25, next year.

1. Tribu Paghidaet
2. Ilonganon
3. Ang Taga-Jaro
4. Silak
5. Atub-atub
6. Panagat (formerly known as Tribu Parianon)
7. Pag-asa
8. Panaad.
9. Tribu Molave
10. Aninipay
11. Milagrosa (formerly known as Tribu Baryohanon)
12. Bantu.
13. Tribu Hamili
14. Angola
15. Himala
16. Himal-us
17. Bola-Bola
18. Binhi

The devotion to Señor Santo Niño started way back in 1521. The cross of Magellan and the image of Holy Child Jesus, the oldest and most historical relic in the Philippines, stands today as the two monuments that speak of the glorious discovery, foundation and Christian civilization of the Philippines. The image of Santo Niño was given to Queen Juana, wife of King Humabon of Cebu, as gift after she submitted herself to Christianization thru baptism in the Catholic faith and from then on, devotion to the Child Jesus flourished and grew.

Dinagyang is the most unusual of Ilonggo worship. Señor Santo Nino is the object dramatized offerings and prayers. It is a colorful cavalcade in honor of the Child Jesus amid the cracking beats of drums, shouts of “Viva Señor Santo Niño” and thundering “hala bira” of tribe members. Dinagyang has both religious and cultural activities supported by the San Jose Church , Iloilo City Government and Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc., in promoting the Ilonggo culture and traditions for tourism. An expression of worship and thanksgiving, this festival instills faith and love for God and country among our people. Truly, Dinagyang showcases Iloilo’s best and without Senior Santo Nino, there would be no Dinagyang.

Here’s the Complete Schedule for Dinagyang 2009:

November 6, 2009 (12nn) – Local Launch of Dinagyang Festival

December 7, 2009 (3pm) – National Launch of Dinagyang Festival

December 13, 2009 (2pm) – Pamukaw 2009

December 20, 2009 (2pm) – Presentation of Miss Dinagyang 2009 candidates

January 16, 2009 (3pm) – Opening Salvo

January 18, 2009 (7pm) – Coronation Night of Miss Dinagyang 2009

January 22 to 23, 2009 – First Iloilo International Dragon Boat Race Competition

January 23, 2009 (8am) – Dinagyang Drum and Bugle Competition

January 23, 2009 (3pm) – Fluvial Procession

January 24, 2009 (8am) – Kasadyahan Competition

January 24, 2009 (7pm) – International Night

January 25, 2009 (8am) – Dinagyang Ati Competition

January 25, 2009 (7pm) – Iloilo Dinagyang 2009 Awarding Ceremonies

Click here for updated and complete schedule.