ILOILO CITY, Oct. 23 -- Ilonggos on Wednesday night witnessed the grand launch of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival, highlighted by performances of tribes joining the annual celebration next year.

The event, filled with the rhythm of drums, color and devotion in honor of Senor Santo Nino at SM City Iloilo, followed the festival's national launch in Metro Manila over the weekend.

Festival and Artistic Director Eric Divinagracia said next year's celebration will feature designs inspired by endemic flora and fauna in Visayas.

"It is a recognition that we are stewards of God's creation. That is why we celebrate the flora and fauna of our Visayan heritage," he said in an interview

This year's theme, "Bugay sang Ginoo, Bugal sang mga Ilonggo" (Bl...