EXHIBIT. A basket maker in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte demonstrates her craft on Tuesday (Feb. 2, 2021) as part of the Ilocano Creatives Fest. The festival aims to promote the work of artisans as Ilocos Norte celebrates its 203rd founding anniversary. (PNA photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Contrary to previous grand celebrations, the province’s 203rd founding anniversary on Tuesday came almost unnoticed by its residents with limited gatherings due to the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
From a month-long celebration, this year’s series of activities have been reduced to three days which highlights the Ilocano Creatives Fest, an interdisciplinary festival that promotes the work of artisans in the province. Featured here are the makers of Inabel (Hand-woven cloth), Damili (pottery), basket weaving, as well as the blacksmith and tinsmith.
Early Tuesday, the La Tabacalera food park located beside the Ilocos Norte Capitol building or adjacent to the Museo Iloco was officially opened for lease. On February 1-2, the outdoor space was used for product exhibits, demonstrations, a creative market place and a gastronomic area in one stop.
"Going there is free so everyone is expected to follow minimum health and safety protocols," said provincial tourism officer Aianree Raquel.
In his short speech after a simple flag-raising ceremony held at the Capitol grounds, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc urged residents to move on amid the pandemic to rebuild and revitalize the province.
"We are finding ways to adjust from the pandemic and until now, we are still adjusting to the new normal. I challenged everyone not to be defined by Covid and leave Covid in the past. We should be defined by our efforts to rebuild and to revitalized our province,” he said.
In Paoay town, the municipality is also hosting a culinary heritage competition and exhibit on Tuesday afternoon.
This forms part of the 203rd founding anniversary of the province as the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office presents the first-ever regional culinary competition that aims to promote culinary tourism and to deliver a menu showcasing Ilocano cuisine, tradition and heirloom produce.
“From asin (salt) in Pasuquin, to ‘bangus' (milkfish) in Pangasinan, contestants from the different towns and ridge and reef provinces will fire up their burners today as they put Ilocano food front and center – one plate at a time,” Raquel said. (PNA)
