Iloilo City sees more Dinagyang guests

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) –- Hotel reservations in this southern city are currently very difficult to get after the locally available 1,300 hotel rooms are now fully booked for Dinagyang guests.

City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said that confirmation of the city’s invitation to come to Iloilo have started to come in and as of Jan. 9, a total of 43 guests have already confirmed their arrival here to watch the world-famous Dinagyang Festival with highlights on Jan. 23-25.

The confirmed guests include China Consul General He Shijing with two companions; European Union Ambassador Alistair Macdonald with seven companions; Ms. Maryse Gautier of the World Bank with two companions; National Treasurer Roberto Tan; businessman Stan Padojinog with three companions; Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero, Mark Woodward of World Bank, Chris Pablo of World Bank with two companions, Foreign Affairs Underseceratry Franklin Ebdalin with two companions, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Secretary Silvestre Bello, Senators Miguel Zubiri, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jamby Madrigal, Agat (Guam) Mayor Carol Tayama, Makati City Councilor Norman Garcia, San Pedro (Laguna) Councilor Leslie Lu, Department of Tourism Region XI Director Sonia Garcia and DOT Region I Director Martin Valera.

Treñas said the city expects more than 200 invited guests and over 500 foreign tourists, including Filipino "balikbayans," foreign media personalities, artists and entertainers, to come and see the annual Dinagyang festivities.