Ilocano creatives from 21 towns and two cities of Ilocos Norte will take the center stage during the 11th Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival, the grandest cultural showdown set on Feb. 16 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium here.
Organizers said this year’s celebrations will revolve around Ilocano oral traditions, in recognition of the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee for oral traditions, Adelita R. Bagcal, who was recently acclaimed as the “dallot queen” of the province.
Dallot is a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilocano community in the olden times.
Over the years, the Ilocos Norte government has supported the creative industries, boosting their potential to foster cultural exchange, creating a sense of pride and identity, and driving the province’s economic growth.
“Tan-ok is becoming a steady source of income for many choreographers, artisans, artists, costume designers and musicians every Tan-ok season,” Erwin Suguitan, municipal tourism officer of Vintar town, told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.
In Vintar alone, Suguitan said the contingents this year are composed of 50 dancers, 40 human props, 96 props men, 15 management staff and more than 30 laborers.
Since November last year, the contingents have started planning their entry to the cultural showdown and the rehearsals took off as early as December.
Though the festival is seasonal, local creatives continue to look forward to the grand event every year as this allowed them to earn more income and help their families.
“Through the exposure of these artists, artisans and musicians in Tan-ok, they are now being hired in other provinces like Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and as far as Central Luzon,” Suguitan added.
Angel Andres, a hair and make-up artist from Laoag City, said: “I am inspired further to give my best shot with my back-to-back schedules for these events.”
Reden Corales, a laborer from Pagudpud town, said hard work and dedication pay off for those who never give up on life.
“I am thankful for the work opportunities given to us to sustain the needs of my family,” Corales said in an interview after he was spotted making props for the incoming event.
In support of the grand festival, the Ilocos Norte government continues to provide financial subsidies worth PHP300,000 to each of the participating local government units. (PNA)
