Kannawidan Festival in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Beforef the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Vigan as it is called now, it was a successful trading post between Chinese merchants and the indeginous people from the mountains of Cordillera, located in the North-east part of the Philippines. To the West is the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. The arrival of the Spanish galleons added to the inter-mingling of the Chinese, Spaniards and our Filipino ancestors in the success of Vigan as we see it today. As the capital of Ilocos Sur, a yearly celebration of the Culture, History, Traditions and Local craftmanship, talents and agricultural products created a week-long festivities all throughout the city called KANNAWIDAN.

Culture-wise, anyone that comes to Vigan will easily notice the Spanish influences from the building structures built with local products like Ilocos bricks, kapiz shells etc., the cobbled-stone street that Calle Crisologo is famous for. Listing a few from food like the longganisa, chicharon, iloko pakbet among others, woven cloth, indeginous products from the different municipalities of Cordillera, this includes the main products of each municipality in the lowland.

Kannawidan for us Ilocanos is a celebration of who we are, a thanksgiving and a sharing of each others crafts and products. To the world, we showcase our culture and traditions with pride.

A Balatinao black rice from the upland of Cervantes.

Tinupig, a mix of glutinous rice and coconut chunks/milk dessert wrapped in banana leaves.

Balot, our very own duck eggs infused with healthy herbs.

Moringa ice cream anyone?

I must say, I was looking forward in tasting this one. Although the province has started baking moringa bread, moringa ice cream is not being sold commercially, in fact this is the first time that i've seen it being sold. I must admit that going to Kannawidan is to taste new food creations from the other towns. So, do I recommend it? It's very healthy but the taste is weird. I think i'll stick to having it as a vegetable and as a brew. Perhaps it needs another herb/herbs to help the taste.

Moving on...

Has anyone seen a guyabano fruit before?

Guyabano wine? Mango? Lemongrass?

The guyabano leaves are being brewed by cancer patients, this i will need to do some research on. My cousin specifically told me to buy a bottle, which I will as I want to know the taste. This is assumed the healthiest wine under the sun. As a fan of lemongrass, let me check that out.

Wood crafts, abel etc.

Ilocos is known as the producer of this woven cloth Abel.

As KANNAWIDAN is a week long festivities, from January 29th to February 6th, a trade fair center is usually created to display all products for the province of Ilocos Sur. Although the heat drove away some locals from the street dances and parades, competitions are being held under the shade, ie. painting competition. Nightly programs are also being held in Plaza Salcedo which includes sarzuelas, live bands and a beauty pageant represented by each municipality.

Kannawidan for us locals, presents a time of unusual food from rice, chocolates, wine, root crops, desserts to coffee and shopping galore of loved products not easily accessible the whole year round. A few of these can be seen at the airport's duty free and at the mall's local products but obviously are more expensive.

All images were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.