Kannawidan: Tawid ken Kultura

 "generation to generation" 

     The name Kannawidan Ylocos is derived from the word tawid. Its translation into English is "tradition," "legacy," or "heritage." It commemorates the province's historic founding during the Spanish era. In 2008, Deogracias Victor Savellano was in authority when Kannawidan Ylocos was first introduced. It was established to encourage awareness of and protection for regional tradition, culture, legacy, and customs. Additionally, it was a chance to highlight regional products, artwork, and craftsmanship. Additionally, it was developed to support the regional tourism sector.

     Every 2nd of February, the celebration Kannawidan Ylocos commemorates the establishment of the Philippine, Province of Ilocos Sur. Its festivities, which extend for a full week, take place from the last few days of January to the first week of February. The province's capital, Vigan, is the site of important events.

     One goal of the festival is to focus more on the children. It is due to the observation that the younger generations of the province do not recognize many customs, songs, dances, and other Ilocano culture. Children are instead focusing more on the contemporary and novelty dances they see on television than the more traditional ones.

     Traditional games, cultural performances, drone light and dancing fountain shows, fireworks displays, comedy evenings, entertainment, food fests, and competitions are all part of Kannawidan Ylocos' schedule of events. There are also customary games, talent shows, exhibitions, sporting events, training sessions, street dancing, festival dance competitions, and other enjoyable activities.

     Tawid ken Kultura is the yearly commerce and agriculture show. It boasts exhibits of food, drinks, trinkets, handmade goods, and other goods. Additionally, it serves as a platform for the one-town, one-product campaign. Longanisa (sausage), bagnet (deep-fried pork), bibingka (rice cake), and tinubong are popular dishes (dessert made of rice flour mixed with other ingredients and stuffed into the node of a bamboo shoot to be grilled). 

     Another highlight of the Kannawidan Festival is the Saniata ti Ylocos also called now as Ms. Ilocos Sur is the prestigious female beauty pageant. The candidates are chosen from among the members of the province's local governments. They participate in numerous pageant competitions, with winners chosen based on their intellect, appearance, and sense of fashion.

     All of these point to the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival's rapid ascent as a popular national event, as evidenced by the large numbers of locals and visitors who have attended it. Kannawidan indeed is an attraction because it showcases the culture of Ilocanos that made them distinct from other ethnic groups of the Philippines. Kannawidan, the pride of our culture and tradition we treasure, were the past and future collide.