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Ilocos Norte's Tan-Ok Ni Ilocano: Festival of Festivals (My Province) **Ilocos Norte** is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos region. Its capital is Laoag City, located in the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the East, and Abra to the SouthEast, and Ilocos Sur to the SouthWest. Ilocos Norte faces the West Philippine Sea to the West and the Luzon Strait to the North. **Ilocos Norte** is also known as a northern tourist destination, being the location of Fort Ilocandia, hotel, resort and casino. As an additional attraction to the tourism industry, Tan-Ok ni Ilocano is celebrated every year to bring in more tourists. ***"Intay pasingkedan kinatan-ok ni Ilocano."*** ***"Agragragsak tayo, manipud amianan, ingga't abagatan."*** This is the theme song of Ilocos Norte for its Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival of Festivals. It is a collective celebration for all of the festivals of the 21 municipalities and 2 cities in our province.

TAN-OK NI ILOCANO (GREATNESS OF THE ILOCANO): FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS What is Tan-Ok ni Ilocano? **Tan-Ok ni Ilocano** or "**The Greatness of the Ilocano"** is hailed as the biggest cultural event in northern Luzon, and is a showdown of the different festivals native to the different towns and cities of Ilocos Norte. "**Tan-ok**" is the Ilocano word for "**Greatness**," thus it is known as the festival that celebrates and honors the Ilocano cultural heritage, showcasing Ilocano's ingenuity and creativity. It is the grandest celebration of festivals to revive what Ilocos Norte stands for and why we are proud to be Ilocanos. The Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival demonstrates that Ilocanos are made to shine not only in our own comfort zone but in the global landscape.

How did it start? It was initiated by then Governor now Senator Imee R. Marcos to rediscover Ilocanos' sense of pride, unity, and greatness. What is its mission? More than attracting tourists, the "Tan-ok" festival aids the mission of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte to uphold Ilocano heritage and positive values among the community. What is expected on this event? Different performances of the locals living in the province that include portrayals of communal faith and religious festivals, historical events of colonization and revolt, traditional courtship and love stories, local folklore and legends, town livelihoods and emblems, and even recent occurrences. When did it start? Held annually at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium, *Tan-ok ni Ilocano* Festival of Festivals was firstly organized in November 2011 to bring together the province’s municipalities and cities to showcase festival dances in a one-night grand celebration of Ilocos Norte’s diverse and unique culture, history, faith, livelihood and tradition. Since then, the festival has been drawing the largest crowd of Ilocanos as well as *balikbayans,* visitors from neighboring provinces, celebrity guests and art and culture enthusiasts. In 2018, Tan-ok ni Ilocano festival was moved to coincide with the harvest season in February and in line with the bicentennial founding of our province.

What are the benefits of this event? More than promoting pride, unity and greatness across the province, the *Tan-ok ni Ilocano* Festival of Festivals has always been acclaimed for going beyond the festivities through leading a significant cause. Aside from serving as a tourism event and attraction, it also stimulates economic activity as local designers, choreographers, editors, makeup artists, and even construction workers are tapped and earn additional income from the event. In 2013, a portion of the festival’s income was used in the construction of the new building of the Philippine National Red Cross – Ilocos Norte Chapter. In 2014, several small and medium enterprises of the province were benefited. In 2015, the income from the sales of the VIP tickets was used for tourism and cultural product development of the province. In 2016, the event was able to raise amount of money that contributed to the disaster preparedness through relief funds, with the help of a non-government organization, the Bakers and Restaurants Association of Ilocos Norte (BRAIN).

**This is the list of the 23 different festivals from the 21 municipalities and two cities in the province and the month they are celebrated:** **Adams**- Ginginubatan Festival (every May) **Bacarra**- Bac-bacarra Festival (every November) **Badoc**- La Virhen Milagrosa Festival (every April 16-20) **Bangui**- Amian Festival (every April 26- May 1) **Banna**- Panagabuos Festival (every April) **Batac City**- Empanada Festival (every December 8-30) **Burgos**- Saniata Festival (every July 5-8) **Carasi**- Magdadaran Talip Festival (every March 7-30) **Currimao**- Dinaklisan Festival (every April 29- May 1) **Dingras**- Ani Festival (every March) **Dumalneg**- Panagwawagi festival (every May) **Laoag City**- Pamulinawen Festival (every February 4-10) **Marcos**- Pinakbet Festival (every March 27) **Nueva Era**- Tadek Festival (every May) **Pagudpud**- Kangayedan Festival (every April 22-25) **Paoay**- Guling-guling Festival (every May) **Pasuquin**- Panagsana Festival **Piddig**- Basi Festival (every September 16) **Pinili**- Bawang Festival (every April) **San Nicolas**- Damili Festival (every December) **Sarrat**- Binakol Festival **Solsona**- Gameng Festival (every January 24-27) **Vintar**- Siwawer Festival

I am from the municipality of **Pagudpud** and we celebrate **Kangayedan Festival** every 22nd to 25th of April. But the town fiesta begins every 1st til 30th of the month. So if you are a tourist or a traveller who wants to experience the Ilocano greatness, make sure to drop by at our province on the month of November every year. Or feel free to come any time, and be our guest. **I am a Pagudpudenian and I am proud to be an Ilocano!** **Sources:** https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IlocosNorte https://ilocosnorte.gov.ph https://pia.gov.ph Photos from Ilocos Norte's website and Tan-Ok's Facebook Page.

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