Ilocano's Celebrates a Simpler Kannawidan Ylocos Festival
Kannawidan is a festival and also a commemoration of the
anniversary of Ilocos Sur as a province celebrated by the Ilocanos every year. This
festival is very significant to every Ilocanos as it is the foundation of
Ilocos Sur as a province by virtue of the Royal Decree signed on February 2,
1818. The festival showcases cultural shows, native products, and the talents of
the Ilocanos. Kannawidan Ilocos Festival became an annual festival that aims to
create awareness on the preservation of its rich cultural heritage, practices, and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry
products. However, because of the pandemic, some activities like last year’s
festival have been shortened. With this in mind, the provincial government of
Ilocos Sur has conceived a festival while being mindful of health protocols to
prevent Covid-19 infection.
Simpler annual Kannawidan Festival and 203rd
anniversary of the separation of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte celebrated by the Ilocano’s
this year. Strict guidelines and health protocols were observed during the
festival to prevent Covid-19 spread. Held in the Heritage City of Vigan, the
festival opened with the ribbon cutting of the Trade and Food Fair at the
Kannawidan Grounds in barangay Tamag where the product of the towns and cities
of the province of Ilocos are displayed. It was followed by the Holy Mass at
the Saint Paul Cathedral led by the government workers, public officials, and
members of non-government organizations. This year’s Trade and Food Fair was
conceived to support the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of each city and
municipality of Ilocos to give additional income to owners of food stalls, furniture
shops, gifts, plant, and even housewares. Face mask usage was strictly mandated
by the provincial government to enter the Trade and Food Fair. And children
under 15 years and senior citizens are not allowed to enter the Fair. Moreover,
last January 31 at Ichtus Beach Resort in barangay Alangan, Magsinggal,
conducted the pre-pageant of the Saniata ti Ylocos Sur 2021. They hosted a
lockdown pageant where only the candidates, make-up artists, and production teams
who presented documentary requirements are allowed. And to be able to watch
this, the coronation night was streamed live via Ryan Luis Singson Official Fan
Page last February 2, 2021. While Kannawidan summer sports fest 2021, according
to governor Singson, shall be held for the whole month of March but dates are
not yet final.
Although this pandemic has changed a lot of things including our celebration of festivals, it will not change our festive spirits. Even with a simpler celebration, let’s not let this health crisis hinder us from celebrating the Kannawidan Festival who has been a part of every Ilocano’s.
References:
Image retrieved from Trade and Food Fair
Ilocanos grace Kannawidan Fest mindful of health protocols, published on January 30, 2021 by Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog, retrieved from Trade and Food Fair
Image retrieved from schedule Kannawidan Ylocos 2021
Hi Angelica! I like the flow of your blog and I enjoy reading it. Good job!
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ReplyDeleteIt is true that this pandemic really changed a lot of things, including festivals that has been part of Filipinos' lives. But this pandemic hamper us to celebrate it the usual way as we did with the previous year. So for now, let's continue praying that this will end very soon so that we can now live again with our normal life and celebrate such amazing events like this the usual way again. Keeep safe!
ReplyDeleteHi Angelica! Your ideas are well stated. Kannawidan Festival was celebrated in a simpler way. But that's okay because we have to follow the health protocols. Anyways, I like your blog. You did a great job. Keep it up.
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