“Lamhitabay sa Dalan”, often tagged as the “colorful street chaos”, a major event of the Cadiz Dinagsa Festival, gathered a throng of around 300,000 revelers, whose unanimous desire was just to be smeared with non-toxic colored paints, according to a press release from the organizer.
“It was a peaceful, colorful and beautiful street chaos only in the Philippines,” Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. described the “Lamhitanay sa Dalan.”
“It mirrors a formidable unity – peerless,” Escalante said, as he expressed his elation by the highly-spirited performance of Sicablun Quatro, which reigned supreme as back-to-back champion of the 52nd Dinagsa’s street dance competition.
The 10-day festivities highlighted by the traditional Ati Dance Competition, which capped on January 25, made Cadiz streets lively and vibrant again with the rhythm of drums coupled with energetic dances – all meant to praise and honor Sto. Niño de Cadiz, the city’s great provider and protector for more than five decades.
Sicablun Quatro, a team of warriors/dancers from Barangays Sicaba, Luna and Zone-4, as if roared-to-the-max that wowed audiences, visitors and tourists alike, took home the P200,000 grand prize.
The crowning of Assia Jean Ur-Rehmam as new Dinagsa Queen on January 23 also reverberated in the Negros Island being a true “beauty and brain.” Ur-Rehman, now one of the faces of Cadiz, bested nine other hopefuls, snatching the crown and coveted title as this year’s Dinagsa Queen.
Meanwhile, Cadiz City once again proved that Dinagsa Festival is a celebration that knows no boundaries as it hosted the 28th Paralympiada on January 23 Paralympiada, a fiesta for “kids with special needs,” is one of the most anticipated and meaningful activities includes for this year’s 52nd Dinagsa Festival.
For nearly three decades, it remains a cornerstone of Cadiz’s commitment to inclusivity, providing children and youth with special needs a space where their abilities take center stage. Through sports, cultural activities, and simple moments of camaraderie, the event continues to inspire not only its participants, but also the community that gathers to cheer them on.
This year’s Paralympiada formed part of the Dinagsa Festival’s theme: “One Faith. One Child. One Colorful Celebration.”
Escalante reflected on the deeper meaning of the event, emphasizing how the special kid athletes embodied the very spirit of the festival.
“Indeed, the Paralympiada has added color to our celebration. With the image of our patron, Señor Santo Niño de Cadiz, there is no better way to describe Him than through the pureness of special kid athletes,” Escalante said.
Negros Occidental 2nd District Representative Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III, promised to initiate a regional Paralympiada, following the establishment of the Negros Island Region.
The initiative is aimed at expanding opportunities for children with special needs while strengthening cooperation among local government units and schools in the region.
Escalante, who described the 52nd Dinagsa truly beyond success, said it also created new positive impacts in the lives of Cadiznons and revelers that formed part of another batch of memories hard to forget, a press statement from the Cadiz City government said.*
