Northern Luzon Serves Up Major Reasons to Visit in February
There are major, major reasons to take that trip to Northern Luzon in February. And the reasons spell fun, excitement, discovery, shopping, and something spiritual./P>
In Ilocos Norte, the Sunshine City of Laoag celebrates its Pamulinawen Festival. The City Government under Mayor Michael Farinas promises to make this year’s celebration bigger and better than previous festivals with new innovations and improvements in the daily events to make sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy and to be a part of.
For the entire month, there will be concerts, an agro-industrial trade fair, food fair, beauty pageants, street pageantry, and extreme sports events, among others.
Highlight of the festival is the Pamulinawen Grand Parade featuring colorful floats and street dancing on February 9 capped by a fireworks display.
As thanksgiving for the milestones, ventures and accomplishments of Laoag City, a holy mass will be offered at the Cathedral in honor of the City’s patron, St. William the Hermit on February 10.
Incidentally, too, St. William the Hermit is also the patron of another bustling city in the region, the City of San Fernando in La Union province which is also preparing various fun and exciting activities for its city fiesta.
In the town of San Juan, preparations are underway for professional and amateur surfers who will gather for the La Union Board Open International Friendship Competition which to be held in on February 5-7.
The province of Ilocos Sur celebrates the Kannawidan Festival from January 31-February 8. A project of the provincial government, the festival features the culture, customs and traditions of Ilocandia.
There will be shows featuring traditional dances, music, games, and rituals performed by locals in their native costumes coming from as far as upland towns of the province.
There will also be a photo and art exhibit at the Archbishop’s Palace and an agro-industrial trade fair featuring the many products of the province.
The highlight will be the search for Saniata ti Ilocos (Miss Ilocos) with candidates coming from various provinces on February 5.
Finally, in Luzon, all roads lead to Baguio City for the Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival February 1 to March 8.
The festival features a floral float parade, street dancing competition, fluvial parade on Valentine’s Day, concerts, trade fairs and fire works display. The street dancing parade will be held on February 26 while the floral float parade is on February 27. (Carlo P. Canares/PIA Ilocos Norte)
