Saturday, February 14, 2015

Insight: Ylocos Kannawidan Festival

The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival

            Festivals, a way of showing how certain localities show their commemoration and thanksgiving, are events that every Filipino never misses out. It is their source of happiness, a way to show their faithfulness, love and respect. It is also a Filipino’s way to show their hospitality to their visitors not only in their homes but also to the tourists, local or foreigner tourists that explore their hometown. Right after the overpowering Longganisa Festival in the heart of Ilocos Sur we celebrate an event that unites us from heart to heart. Here in Ilocos Sur, one big event never passed in our calendars as we gracefully celebrate our Kannawidan Ylocos Festival!

            Ilocos Sur is known for its preserved beauty spots like the Heritage City of Vigan, the Santiago Cove or Sta. Maria’s Pinsal Falls. Likewise, it is also famed for its history during the Spanish Colonization. The people are known to be brave to their hometown. Nevertheless, the Ilocanos are also known for their creativity especially during festivals. One highlight of the Kannawidan Ylocos festival is the Trade Fair. This is where the locals showcase their One-Town-One-Product, also known as OTOP. Every town of Ilocos Sur is known because of the handiworks of its people to showcase their products. Like how the people of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, show their Garlic Stand or how the patient people of San Vicente carve their elegant furnitures.

            This year’s Kannawidan Ylocos Festival started last January 30, 2015 with an opening program held at the Quirino Stadium. The said festival lasts for two weeks which means that it will end a day before we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day. The festival holds different competitions which marks Ilocano’s creativity, resourcefulness and sportsmanship. Some of the competitions were Folk Dance, Marching Band and the Saniata where Ilocano beauties compete for a crown. There are also many other competitions which completes the celebration of the festivals. There’s also the Carnival, where Ilocano kids, teens, and families enjoy the rides and other fun games.

            Surely, a festival is a way of popularizing a certain place. And as the heart of Ilocos Sur, Vigan City, was officialy announced as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World many tourists never denied the idea of experiencing Ilocos through the Kannawidan Festival. Many people from different places and localities joined us, the Ilocano people, to celebrate how thankful we are from the bountiful resources and products that are passed from our ancestors to us even after how many years of serving our beloved province.








            Kannawidan Ylocos Festival: A Showcase of Culture & Tradition! Long Live Ilocos Sur!

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