“The owners of our ancestral homes are heroic, because they’ve taken it upon themselves to preserve, often against all the odds, a key aspect of our collective Filipino heritage for our future generations.” —Gina Consing-McAdam

Keep it real with everyone around you! In times of confusion and doubt, a healthy boundary is what you need to focus on the right path to move forward. Being open, honest and real has been my mindset for these past weeks, as I am presently back to myself.

The delights of Dinagyang — Gina Consing-McAdam, Alma Consing-Arreglado, Celia Consing, Monique Consing-Cheng

With reality, coming back to my senses and getting a grip on my own life, I am glad to get back into different celebrations, especially during big festivities like the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. On the gracious invitation of SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, we flew by private jet to Iloilo City to attend so many activities, like the Dinagyang Illumination Parade, the book launch of “Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes” and the Dinagyang Festival 2024.

SM City Iloilo transformed into the heartbeat of the festivities, which complemented the grand celebrations in partnership with the Iloilo City Government.

With its AweSM Iloilo 2024 campaign, SM City Iloilo was the core venue of activities that celebrated Iloilo. The Grand Iloilo Food Festival and Batchoy Festival were culinary attractions that brought Ilonggos and tourists together to taste a showcase of a wide variety of the most celebrated Ilonggo food, making the mall a culinary focal point highlighting Iloilo City’s distinction as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy.

Frenzy

The Dinagyang Festival Costumes Exhibit was a showcase of Ilonggo craftmanship and ingenuity as it featured the intricately-made costumes of the Dinagyang tribes. The One Visayas Creative Expo 2024, a joint activity of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas and the Regional Development Council 6, showcased the best products, destinations and festivals of Regions 6, 7 and 8, and was a treat for visitors, being dubbed the biggest expo in the Visayas.

The Dinagyang frenzy was definitely all over the mall as shoppers got to meet and greet Dinagyang Warriors and witness the Dinagyang Warriors Parade. The two-day Viva Music Festival with Ron Poe and JK Labajo was a blast for partygoers who enjoyed the great music and entertainment.

The Tech and Creators Fair was an AweSM gathering that added color to the festival, while the Drones and Fireworks Display gathered thousands of Ilonggos and visitors at the mall parking lot to witness the night skies light up for the spectacle, as earlier during that night, the Dinagyang ILOmination, featuring warriors in their illuminated costumes and props, had a grand launch at SM City Iloilo.

Visitors and tourists were never short of Dinagyang memories and keepsakes, as SM City Iloilo is a haven of pasalubong in different areas in the mall. From T-shirts to Dinagyang dolls and collectible mugs, memories of the celebration were available at Fiesta Favorite Souvenirs, which also offers varied and exciting designs.

SM City Iloilo is committed to promoting sustainability by providing local artisans an avenue to reach a wider audience.

Houses’ heydays

Meanwhile, “Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes,” the book by Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhan Doran, had a successful launch at the Molo Mansion. I was able to catch up with my Assumption HS ’81 classmate Alma Consing-Arreglado at the launch. Her sister Gina shared stories about this beautifully photographed coffee table book that was five years in the making.

The book, with over 250 pages of photos and stories that takes readers back during the prime of these houses, celebrates the legacy of the three main sugar producing provinces in the Philippines: Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Pampanga.

Before the launch that day, our hosts toured us around some of the most magnificent ancestral homes in the city. We also enjoyed lunch at Balay Remedios and ate their famous batchoy.

Beautifully photographed, with over 200 pages of interiors that have rarely been seen by the public, “Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes” is layered with intimate stories and text on individual houses that transport us back to a time when these residences were in their heyday.

The launch was attended by the families and heirs of the owners of these houses along with invited guests led by Ms. Raisa Treñas-Chu, representing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and SM Supermalls’ Steven Tan.

The Filipino Fashion Fair 2024 exhibit at the Molo Mansion and a fashion show added color to the event, featuring the designs of Arnel Papa, Jor-el Espina, Lin-ay by Binky Pitogo, Louis Claparols, Orias by Vin Orias, PQLA by Puey Quiñones, Satren and Zarah Juan.

In commemoration of National Autism Consciousness Week, which is celebrated every third week of January, an event with the partnership of SM Cares, SM City Iloilo and the Autism Society of the Philippines Iloilo Chapter was held at Park Inn Iloilo. Miss Philippines Universe 2023 Michelle Dee and Steven Tan graced the event.