The Pride of Ilocano Culture

Fun- filled week of celebrating “Kannawidan Festival”

 

   Ilocos Sur is a beautiful province located in the northern part of Luzon. A province rich in culture that represents the ancient Spanish and Filipino heritage. To show and share their treasures to the whole world, the locals conceived a festival that highlights these cultural traditions and they called it the “Kannadiwan Festival”. It is a celebration that lasts from the last week of January up to the first week of February. 

   In this festival, several activities were lined up for the celebration. Ilocanos showcase cultural shows, native products and their talents. Mind blowing street dance, and the jaw dropping dance showdown from traditional dress and folk dance to tribal rituals and marching band contests. We should not forget the beauty and brains contestants of Saniata and other more heart- stopping events and competitions.

   Unlike previous years, this is being celebrated for atleast a month. This year, residents of Ilocos Sur have a simpler celebration of the annual Kannawidan Festival. Even though this is our current situation right now because of the pandemic, Ilocanos did not miss to celebrate it. The Ilocos Sur government has still ensured to us and did their best so Ilocanos will still celebrate this special occasion although only a few activities were included. This were the Trade and Food Fair 2021, Kannawidan Sports Fest and the Saniata Ti Ylocos Sur which is one of the most important and happiest parts of the said festival but limited people were only allowed to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus.

   Hoping for the next years, this will be celebrated more happily without worries and fear. The good old days of celebrating the Kannawidan Festival were far better than today but still Ilocanos made this a memorable one filled with joy, happiness and merriment though a drastic change has occurred.

Multimedia Reference:

https://saluyot.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/kannawidan-ylocos-festival-2015/

https://pia.gov.ph/news/tags/kannawidan-ylocos-festival-2021

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1065420

Viva Vigan!

Marking The Vigan Fiesta Celebration Alive During This Pandemic

 

Primarily, I want to say that I am not participating in any kind of fiestas especially those religious festivals but I want you to know that I still show my respect to everyone, to every Filipino who loves to celebrate fiestas. For them the word “fiesta” will bring smile and happiness to almost any Filipino. It is a special time of celebrating joyful moments in history that defined identity, polity and locality. When it comes to such festivals, Vigan City is one of them wherein the “Vigan City Fiesta Celebration” is commemorated.

 

The Vigan City Fiesta is held every January 25. It is celebrated during the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. Bigueños from all over the country and even abroad return to Vigan, as it is the custom of Filipinos to return to their hometown to join their family and friends in the celebration of their fiesta. In recent years, people were happy because they were able to see and have fun of the different amazing activities. They also watch parades and street dancing especially when commemorating the Longganisa Festival.

 

After all, because of this Covid-19 pandemic, lot of things really changes. Coping with the disappointment that you may not be able to mark an occasion in the usual way, particularly events like this which have a special meaning can be challenging. Feeling a range of emotions because we are unable to witness and enjoy cultural shows, parades and street dancing prepared by the local government. I may not be participating any kind of fiesta’s but I feel sad to the people were used to celebrate these such occasion, that they have to accept the reality that we are in this kind of situation because mass gatherings are still strictly forbidden.

 

The city government of Vigan is doing its best so that Bigueños will never miss and forget this year’s fiesta even though we are facing health crisis nowadays. They make sure for somehow celebrate it anyway, with the help of social media platforms to still comply with the implementation of health protocols to ensure the safety of people. I hope our suffering due to today’s global health crisis will end soon and experience things like this happily without worries and fear.

Multimedia Reference:

https://primer.com.ph/tips-guides/2016/01/18/vigan-town-fiesta/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Costume_Festival