Kannawidan Ylocos Festival: A Celebration of Ilocano Harmony

 

A fun-filled week of "Kannawidan Festival" celebrations

         Every country or nation, province or city has its own way of expressing its own endeavor and mindset on any occasion or festival. A festival is a special occasion for feasting or celebration, often with a religious theme. Aside from religion and, at times, folklore, culture and tradition are important.

       Ilocos Sur is a lovely province in the northwestern part of the island of Luzon. A culturally rich province that represents ancient Spanish and Filipino ancestors. To show and share their treasures with the rest of the world, the locals created the "Kannadiwan Festival," which highlights these cultural traditions. It is a month-long celebration that takes place from the last week of January to the first week of February

    We are all aware that the province of Ilocos Sur is unquestionably fascinating. Ilocos Sur is more than just Vigan's cobblestone streets. The province is well-known for its rich culture and history, which reflect ancient Spanish and Filipino ancestors. In order to promote and preserve the province's culture and history, civic-minded Ilocanos devised the Kannawidan celebration to raise cultural awareness among all.

       Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is an Ilocos Sur festival that celebrates the province's independence and its treasure trove of traditions and culture. This festival, held at the end of January, celebrates the best of Ilocos Sur culture, including traditional dress and folk dance, as well as tribal rituals and a marching band competition. Every Ilocano looks forward to the Kannawidan Festival because it is a grand celebration and a time when every municipality comes together as one to thank God not only for the abundant harvests but also to celebrate the province's successes and gains. The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival 2021, on the other hand, will be marked by numerous changes. Because of the on going global pandemic, this year's celebration has become simpler. The city government places a premium on social distancing, hygiene protocols, and other stringent regulations. The city government's healthcare recommendations must be followed to ensure everyone's safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

   Several activities were planned for this festival's celebration. Ilocanos display cultural performances, native products, and their talents. Street dance that blows your mind, and a jaw-dropping dance showdown ranging from traditional dress and folk dance to tribal rituals and marching band competitions. We must not forget the Saniata beauty and brains contestants, as well as other heart-stopping events and competitions. In contrast to previous years, this is being observed for at least a month. Residents of Ilocos Sur will celebrate the annual Kannawidan Festival in a more relaxed manner this year. Despite the fact that this is our current situation due to the pandemic, Ilocanos did not miss the opportunity to celebrate. The government of Ilocos Sur has still assured us and done their best to ensure that Ilocanos will still celebrate this special occasion, despite the fact that only a few activities have been included. This included the Trade and Food Fair 2021, Kannawidan Sports Fest, and the Saniata Ti Ylocos Sur, which is one of the most important and joyful parts of the festival, but only a limited number of people were permitted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

      We must find the meaning of these celebrations even when we are unable to be together in all the ways we would like to be or are unable to participate in the same activities that we had planned. There are numerous reasons why the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is significant. We rely on social heritage, which is a collection of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes, festivals, folklore, beliefs, and ideals that not only define us but bind us to pass it on from generation to generation. Festivals like this allow us to forget about our worries and focus on the positive aspects of life, even if only for a few days. This festival also stimulates economic activity by providing people with job opportunities.

       Nowadays, especially in the midst of a global pandemic, it is extremely difficult to celebrate festivals. Some people may not be able to commemorate a special occasion in the same way they used to. They're having a hard time dealing with the disappointments they're experiencing. Some people experience a wide range of emotions. However, thanks to the city government's assistance, the celebration is made easier. They make certain that all Biguenios are as safe as possible.

      Festivals are like happy seasons that come and bring us joy and add a new color to our lives. Celebrating festivals like this teaches us something that will give us moral for the rest of our lives. The values of festivals must be preserved, archived, and passed down to future generations. We must preserve our cultural values, respect the ways of life left by our forefathers, and maintain a long-lasting and harmonious culture.

   I'm hoping that in the coming years, this will be celebrated more joyfully, without worry or fear. The good old days of celebrating the Kannawidan Festival were far better than today, but Ilocanos still made it a memorable one filled with joy, happiness, and merriment despite the drastic change.

MULTIMEDIA REFERENCES:

http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2015/06/04/join-the-celebration-of-kannawidan-festival-in-ilocos-sur/ on February 11, 2022.                                                                                                                  https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2022/02/12/2160380/ilocos-sur-celebrates-kannawidan-2022 on February 11, 2022.                                                                                                      https://www.edmaration.com/2016/03/kannawidan-festival-vigan-ilocos-sur.html on February 11, 2022.          https://www.facebook.com/Saniata-Ti-Ylocos-839165592816318 on February 11, 2022.