Diyandi Festival in Iligan City, "One Culture, One Heritage, One celebration"

 

 

By Jun Enriquez

ILIGAN CITY (September 1, 2026) – Every September Iligan City celebrates Diyandi Festival, a tradition rooted in the Higaonon word “Diyandi” meaning celebration. Officially institutionalized in 2004, the festival culminates on September 29, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Iligan’s Patron Saint and protector.

More than a fiesta, Diyandi embodies the enduring harmony of the city’s tri-people, the Higaonon, Muslim and Christian communities, united under one heritage, one culture and one celebration.

The festivities begin with the sacred “Pagpananghid” ritual, followed by the revered Pagpakanaog procession and nine day novena in honor of Sr, San Miguel.  Cultural highlights include the sacred Diyandi dance, the lively Yawa-yawa, the Sinulog tradition, and the colorful Kasadya sa Diyandi showcase, each performance reflecting Iligan’s collective identity, bound by faith, respect and peace that will highlight Iligan’s diverse traditions, drawing visitors and locals alike into a vibrant cultural experience.

Hon. Frederick W. Siao, Mayor, Iligan City

Mayor Frederick W. Siao, underscores the festival’s deeper significance, “Ang Diyandi dili lamang usa ka fiesta celebration nga atong gina-celebrate ug ginasaulog. Kini usa ka tradisyon nga atong gustong ipadayon, usa ka kultura nga atong gipanalipdan, ug usa ka pagkaila nga atong ipasa sa sunod nga generations. 

The Diyandi festival returns this September as Iligan City’s Premier cultural tourism event, reaffirming its place as a living tradition that unites communities and strengthen local identity. The festival was formally institutionalized in 2004 and culminates on September 29, the feast of St. Michael Archangel, Iligan’s Patron Saint and protector.

Diyande is a cultural bridge that brings together the city’s Tri-people in a shared celebration of heritage and faith. The festivities open with the sacred Pagpananghid ritual, followed by the revered Pagpakanaog nine-day procession and novena. 

Guided by the Diyandi Executive Management Board, the festival has grown into one of Northern Mindanao’s premier cultural tourism events, drawing visitors and locals alike to witness the unity of Iliganon's heritage.

Atty. Riezel Reen P. Angas, RN, EMB Chairperson

Atty. Riezel Reen P. Angas, RN, EMB Chairperson, highlighted the festival’s unifying role, “Despite our differences, It’s one culture, one heritage, one celebration. Our direction towards this Diyandi is to bring all three groups together as one Iliganon, while honoring the feast of our patron Saint, Señor San Miguel.”

Finally, Atty. Angas said that Iligan is a diverse city. We have different cultural communities, different religious traditions, different backgrounds, and different generations. We Have people whose families have been for generations and people whose families have been here for generations and people whose families came from different parts of Mindanao and the Philippines. All of these have contributed to what Iligan is today. So when we say “One culture,” we are talking about unity arising from diversity. (CIO Press Release; Written and Edited by Jun Enriquez, Digital-Mobile Journalist)