Kannawidan Festival: A Showcase of Culture and Tradition

We, Filipinos are fund of festivals. We have so many festivals here in the Philippines.

lIlocos Sur is a beautiful province located in the northern part of Luzon. It is a province rich in culture that represents the ancient Spanish and Filipino heritage. To show and share their treasures to the whole world, the locals conceived a festival that highlights these cultural traditions and they called it the “Kannadiwan Festival.

This festival is celebrated during the last week of January up to the first week of February. It is a three-week long celebration which commemorates the separation of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

  

     Kannawidan Festival is one of the ways of the different places in Ilocos Sur to be united as one. This helps us to know and learn the different culture, and different tradition of one's place. The one town one product (OTOP) gives us the idea of where is that product belonging to.

One mission of the festival is paying more attention to the children. It is because of the observation that many traditions, songs, dances, and other Ilocano culture are not recognized by the younger generations of the province. Instead, children are paying more attention to the modern and novelty dances they see television than the traditional ones. It is one of the reasons why the Kannadiwan Festival is conducted.

Here, children may appreciate their rich culture and tradition. Also on the opening day of the festival, a traditional ritual is performed by the students of the Ilocos Sur, especially high school students. There are different contests that focus to the ability and skills of the students. These include traditional tribal rituals, choir and glee club competition, marching band contest, traditional music ensemble, dance drama, traditional and folk dances, contemporary dance competition, and street dancing showdown.

  It is important to have a celebration like this. It is an avenue where the young generation would learn about the culture and tradition that are existing in our province. It is really more fun in Ilocos Sur!

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