Giving Life to Traditions

It is part of the Filipino culture to cherish the fiestas that take place in their community. Every year on January 25th, the Vigan City Fiesta is held. It is observed on the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. The Vigan City Fiesta usually lasts a few days. It involves the annual celebration of Vigan's cityhood, which takes place on January 27th. Biguenos from all over the country and even from abroad travel to Vigan to celebrate their fiesta with their family and friends, as is typical for Filipinos to do. Thousands of people from other parts of the Philippines and other countries join them in celebrating the cultural activities, parades, and street dances organized by the local government with the help of local businesses and communities. Food fairs, arts and crafts shows, and a local carnival are all available. Participants from numerous northern neighboring provinces are also sent to compete in the different sports and activities, most notably the street dancing competition. Because of the participation of neighboring towns, the Vigan City Fiesta is not just a local event attended by Vigan authorities, but also a national event attended by other local public officials and national politicians.

The annual celebration of their Fiesta is very important mostly to the locals of Vigan because they prepare and celebrate it with joy. Everyone often looks forward to celebrating with their family and loved ones which make it more a meaningful event. Furthermore, it allows many people to find time to just enjoy themselves by commemorating the occasion, and it allows every local product to be promoted and discovered by local and non-local people. During the pandemic, folks find it hard to celebrate the yearly event. The local government needed to repeatedly change the date of celebrating the fiesta to provide a sure and safe celebration for the people that will attend. Health protocols are required to be followed to prevent the increase of COVID-19 cases and to continuously give value and remembrance to the tradition of Vigan without causing too many problems. 

There is no doubt that many challenges suddenly came, but this must not stop the embracement of the essence of Vigan City Fiesta. Love and passion for the culture that is part of oneself must be cherished regardless of the current situation, as long as everyone is constant in being careful and in spreading awareness. Giving importance to safety and healthy living can help everyone to keep giving life to their traditional events in the midst of the pandemic.

References:

https://live.staticflickr.com/5243/5379808973_823d4423e7_b.jpg

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