Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2025 wins Best Cultural Festival at ATOP Pearl Awards
The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival once again proved why it stands as one of the Philippines’ finest cultural celebrations. The world-renowned festival earned the title Grand Winner for Best Cultural Festival at the 2025 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards.
The honor was received by Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) Executive Director Joyce Ann Clavecillas and City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia during the ATOP National Convention in Baguio City.
Iloilo City expressed gratitude to the San Jose Parish Placer, IFFI, performing tribes, and the Ilonggo community for their unity and faith in Señor Santo Niño. City officials said this devotion continues to make Dinagyang a world-class festival recognized both locally and abroad.
This recent award adds to the long list of accolades for Dinagyang. The 2022 edition, “Iloilo Dinagyang Padayon,” was also named Best Cultural Festival in 2023. The event has consistently been honored by ATOP, including awards for Best Tourism Event in Contemporary/Non-Traditional Expression in 2022 and Best Tourism Practice during the Pandemic in 2021 for its digital version.
Dinagyang also achieved a rare feat, winning Best Tourism Event in the country for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008.
Beyond Iloilo City’s success, several other local governments in Iloilo Province received recognition. Passi City placed 2nd Runner-Up for Best Event Hosting: International Event in the Independent/Component City Category. Tigbauan earned two awards, Best in International Events Hosting (Municipal Level) and 1st Runner-Up for Best Institutionalized Program for Culture and the Arts. Dueñas was also named 2nd Runner-Up for Best Tourism Month/Week Celebration (Municipal Level).
