Dinagyang champion Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial High School celebrated its win with a victory party on Wednesday, January 30 at Iloilo’s iconic The Mansion Hotel.
Hotel executives led by sales and marketing head Patrick Lim welcomed around 500 guests composed of tribe leaders and members, teachers, students, parents, faculty and staff of Jalandoni Memorial High School in the hotel complex, and treated everyone with a sumptuous buffet lunch at the poolside cafe and function halls.
As the tribe’s major sponsor for the past 2 years, The Mansion through its Public Relations Specialist Nonoi Ybiernas congratulated Tribu Ilonganon for regaining the crown after 12 long years.
“You deliver a splendid performance that will truly leave a mark in the history of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival,” said Ybiernas. “The Mansion believes in Tribu Ilonganon’s potential, thus it is our second year to be your major sponsor.”
“We are so proud to be part this success, and we look forward to more years of partnership,” he added.
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| The Mansion Iloilo team with trophies of Tribu Ilonganon. |
School principal Salvador M. Besares, who is also Ilonganon’s tribe manager, thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the tribe in spite of the challenges and obstacles.
“It was a rough start, but through the passion and dedication of everyone, everything went smoothly,” Besares said.
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| Jalandoni Memorial High School principal and Tribu Ilonganon’s tribe manager Salvador Besares. |
Tribu Ilonganon reclaimed the coveted title by besting 7 other tribes in the world class festival’s highlights, the Ati Tribe Competition. The winning tribe got 350,000 cash prize and will represent Iloilo City in this year’s Aliwan Festival.
Tribu Ilonganon’s Gerlin G. Francisco also won best choreographer, and the tribe was also recognized as best in discipline and best in choreography.
The tribe’s artistic team is composed of Francisco, musical director Raymund Ferolino, costume designers Paul Jerome Pinuela and Joebert Modina, artistic director Rheno Mar S. Soqueño and associate directors Louie Gepulla and Ron Matthews Espinosa.
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| Tribu Ilonganon’s artistic team lead by Dinagyang 2019 Best Choreographer Gerlin Francisco. |
About The Mansion
The Mansion Iloilo is one of the most prominent landmarks in Iloilo City – one of the Philippines’ fast-emerging destinations for commerce and tourism. Featuring a unique blend of Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino heritage and architecture, this iconic hotel offers travelers a gracious experience in a landmark destination.
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| The Mansion Iloilo’s pool. |
The Mansion offers guests a sentimental charm and a calm respite from the city’s rapidly developing business & entertainment districts. The hotel provides a total of 187 spacious rooms & suites located in its two wings, 5 restaurants, a banquet & events convention center, a full service salon, and an outdoor swimming pool — all within the 1.5-hectare property nestled at the heart of Iloilo City Proper.
