Discover and Celebrate the Pamulinawen Festival

Discover and Celebrate the Pamulinawen Festival

Filipinos are known to be one of the happiest people in Asia.They know how to have a good time and that is by sharing happiness with other people.

Because of their hospitality, many tourists keep coming back for a great vacation or even live permanently in the Philippines.

There are many wonderful tourist spots in the country that foreigners will definitely enjoy and festivals that they, too can celebrate. One of these festivals is the Pamulinawen Festival, which is held in "the place of clarity" or simply, Laoag City in the province of Ilocos Norte.

Pamulinawen is held every year on the 10th of February on the Feast of St. William the Hermit, who is the patron saint of the city. The festival is celebrated to honor and thank the compassion and generosity of St. William. It is believed that through his communication and involvement to the Lord, the city of Laoag was saved from disasters and calamities. It is famous for its dance parades and flower showcases. There are also cultural activities that exhibit Filipino customs and traditions through songs, dances and dramas mainly from the ethnic group of Ilocanos.

Among the highlights of the Pamulinawen Festival are the following:

1. The so-called Dulang Food Festival prove that Filipinos, particularly those who are from Laoag are indeed good cooks. During this activity, people gather around and do food sampling, where everyone who attended can taste every food that has been prepared. The foreigners should not worry. Even though the foods are unfamiliar and may seem exotic, the Laoagueños' indigenous cuisines are extremely delicious.

The Dulang Festival was first known as the Pinakbet and Bawang Festival, which started in the year 2000. It was then changed to Dulang because of its wider range in the cooking arts. Annually, when this food festival takes place, the people of Laoag display a different contraption for the whole world to see. One of them is the longest longanisa, which was more than 7, 260 feet. Other showcases are the Silyasi or in English, the big vat where there was plenty of cooked food and the biggest banga or clay pot. In 2003, they presented basi or wine from sugar cane and tinudok or commonly known as the barbecued foods.

2. The Pamulinawen Festival is not complete without the Street Pageantry, which is deemed to be the highlight of the said festival. Every time the pageants take place, they manage to pull out a huge crowd. Clearly, Laagueños are pageant-aficionados. There are also cultural dances and dramas during the presentation. This has been sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the KANNAWIDA Foundation.

3. Drum and Lyre Competitions are also being held during the festival. People from the city especially those who are in high school enter the competition with their band. Commonly, every school in Laoag had a representative and they are being judged by their creativity and rhythm in music using only the drums and lyres. The competitors practice fervently to reach their goal of winning. Prizes at stake are oftentimes in cash and even recognition from the government body of Laoag.

4. The Civic and Military Parade are also part of the Festival. This parade is usually the event that starts up the festival along with the opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair. The Parade is usually made up of people who are in the military and they wear their uniforms. There are also majorettes and the band to play along to theme of the parade.

5. The Mountain Bike Race is a challenge held for the people of Laoag but they can be joined by visitors, too. This is extremely good for the heart and provides exercise for those who need it. Usually, the participants are assembled in the city hall and the City Hall Bikers are the one in charge of the event.

6. The Calesa Festival's venue is typically in the Provincial Capitol Outdoor Stage. A calesa is a two-wheeled vehicle moved by a horse. During the event, this traditional carriage is being glorified. They are adorned with lavish decorations and are paraded around the main city.

Truly, Laoag City is the place to be. With the many activities and colorful presentations like the Pamulinawen Festival, tourists will be fascinated with the beauty of the city. Visiting Laoag is a genuine experience worth cherishing.