Sunday, February 5, 2012

KANNAWIDAN, THE YLOCOS FESTIVAL

I had my shares of ups and downs on the recent Kannawidan Festival of Ylocos Sur but that is not what I am going to discuss today. The week-long Kannawidan Ylocos Festival this 2012, marks the 193rd anniversary of the founding of Ilocos Sur, yes that’s a trivia one. It was founded by a Royal Decree signed on February 2, 1818.

This occasion has drawn a lot of tourists both from local and the international mainstreams. The Kannawidan is also a promising revenue for both small and giant businesses here in Vigan catering different merchandises, ranging from exotic foods to souvenirs, and locally manufactured yet, eccentric products from our province that we can be truly proud of.

It has also been a great avenue of introducing the different cultures and traditions of the different  towns comprising Ilocos Sur. Different products locally available from each town can be seen and if you want to buy some, you seem to just can’t have enough. Although I bought some dried rose flowers, I just can’t resist those roses grown for our garden, so took home one also.    

The Kannawidan Festival which usually begins on the 28th of January, starts with a very colorful and dramatic fireworks display and ends up on the 6th of February with the rushing of sales which are often lower in prices of course. This is the best time to buy what you usually can’t get by a five peso lesser discount than usual.   
The Kannawidan already became an annual festival creating  awareness on the preservation of the province' rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry products. Indeed, it has been a great way of unifying the different towns and a great move of preserving and perpetuating the rich Iloco cultural, artistic, historical and intellectual heritage. Mabuhay!  

We’ll I just hope the rose I bought would live until next Kannawidan!