Kannawidan Ylocos comes from the word "tawid," which means tradition, legacy, or heritage. It is an annual festival that celebrates the founding anniversary of the province of Ilocos Sur every 2nd of February. The celebration starts from the last week of January up to the second week of February. During this time, there are a lot of activities and festivities happening in Ilocos Sur, with so many people from across the province just to come and celebrate the Kannawidan Festival. Famous people, such as artists and singers, come here to perform and celebrate the festival. In 2025, Ilocos Sur invited so many celebrities, including TJ Monterde, Kamikazee, Shaira Diaz, EA Guzman, December Avenue, Maki, Rayver Cruz, and many more. The Kannawidan Festival serves as one of the very important festivals in Ilocos Sur because it promotes our culture, traditions, and local products.
The Kannawidan Festival is a very significant celebration for the province of Ilocos Sur. Kannawidan Ylocos was first launched within the term of Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano in 2008. It was started to promote awareness and preservation of the local culture, tradition, heritage, and customs. It was also an opportunity to showcase local products, artistry, and craftsmanship. Moreover, it was also created to boost the local tourism industry, with several activities that make the tourists attracted to the beauty of Ilocos Sur. Activities for Kannawidan Ylocos include traditional games, cultural shows, drone light and dancing fountain shows, fireworks displays, comedy nights, entertainment, food fests, pet shows, and competitions. It also has talent contests, exhibits, sporting events, trainings, street dance, festival dance showdowns, and other fun activities.
To conclude, the Kannawidan Festival is an important part of the lives of the people in Ilocos Sur because it promotes our culture, traditions, and local products. It is not just a celebration, nor just a festival that honors the origin of a province, but also a fiesta that will surely make tourists visit and get a glimpse of the beauty of Ilocos Sur. It captures the beauty of the origin, traditions, and culture of the province. So, what are you waiting for? Don't miss the chance to visit Ilocos Sur in the next Kannawidan Festival in 2026! Intayon, Ilocos Sur!
Reference:
Kannawidan Ylocos. (2025). Retrieved on March 2, 2025 from https://www.festivalscape.com/philippines/ilocos-sur/kannawidan-ylocos/
