Gyeongju: Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival received two awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) Asia during the 2025 Global Festival Summit in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea on March 21.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Dinagyang Festival was named Best Overall Entertainment Program for the Pinnacle Awards Asia 2025 and Asia Dynamic Festival (Dancing Festival) of 2025 for the Asia Festival Awards. Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festival Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), mentioned in an interview that they were the sole contingent from the Philippines to receive these honors. Clavecillas was uncertain if other groups from the Philippines were invited.

The foundation submitted a portfolio of the festival upon the invitation of the IFEA, a non-profit organization specializing in festivals and events. The feedback about Dinagyang winning the two awards was received in early March. The awards were accepted by Dinagyang Festival Director and Artistic Director Eric Divinagracia and IFFI Director for Culture and Arts Initiatives Elvert Ba±ares at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center during the 2025 Global Festival Summit held from March 19-21.

Clavecillas highlighted that the event served as a platform for festivals to meet, benchmark, and market themselves across Asia. She remarked that the workshop conference allowed Dinagyang to identify areas for improvement and growth. This event not only promotes Iloilo but also provides learning opportunities from other nations, potentially attracting international visitors to Iloilo City and the Dinagyang Festival in the future.

Looking ahead, Clavecillas expressed anticipation for next year's gathering of festivals from other continents, which presents another opportunity for Dinagyang to gain international exposure.