KANNAWIDAN Ylocos Festival

Colorful flaglets. Huge banners. Magnificent decorations. Clannish costumes.

Philippines is a country known for its various festivals. Most of which are due to religion. But, nowadays, the religious aspect comes next as its epitome already.

The province of Ilocos Sur is blessed with a very rich heritage. Its customs and traditions gives the province itself a foremost oddness. However, because of the rapid modernization, these customs and traditions are slowly vanishing. Children of this generation spend most of their time on televisions and on the internet. They are very fond of the modern dances and foreign songs that they aren’t even aware of the significance of their own traditional dances and songs. Because of  the signs of the culture’s extinction, there really is a need to revive and rekindle the soul of the Ilocano. There is a need to conduct programs and celebrations to make Ilocano aware of their customs and traditions, to pave the way in preserving them; and thus, preserve the peculiarity of our culture.

With response to this, the city government organize a festival to preserve these customs and traditions as well as to attract foreign and local tourists. It is called the KANNAWIDAN Festival. It is also the time to celebrate the anniversary of the province of Ilocos Sur since it was separated February 2, 1818.

Kannawidan Festival is on its 196^th year. It’s annually celebrated to create awareness and preservation on the rich cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur. There are many activities which are being conducted in this celebration. It sets the stage for a religious procession with miraculous saints from different municipalities, a trade fair featuring dances and crafts and local products, events such as cultural dances and ethnic rituals, a zarzuela performance, traditional games, Saniata(pageant)  and a food fest featuring traditional local cuisine.

Kannawidan has really attained its purpose which is to preserve the rich Ilocano culture. With these colourful week, I am in no doubt that people will give importance to what it’s like to be a true-blooded Ilocano. And of course, with the collective efforts of the Ilocanos and the provincial officials, Ilocos Sur will continue shining not only in the Philippines but also around the globe.

Soar high Ilocos Sur!