Viva Vigan, Longganisa Festival!

    Festivals are a celebration of life; these celebrations bring peace and joy to humanity. In my municipality of Vigan every year they celebrate a fiesta’s that every January 25, the Vigan City Fiesta is held. It is observed on the day of St. Paul the Apostle's conversion feast. Vigan City's patron saint is St. Paul. Prior to becoming a Christian, St. Paul was Saul, a fervent persecutor of Christians. His name was changed to Paul after he had a close encounter with Jesus Christ while traveling to Damascus, and he underwent many sufferings and perils in order to carry the gospel to distant locations.

    Vigan’s main church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, is dedicated to St. Paul and it stands at the core of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. The major Catholic educational institution in Vigan that stands beside the church is also dedicated to the patron, the St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur. The Vigan City Fiesta usually lasts for several days. It includes within the period the celebration of the anniversary of the cityhood of Vigan, which is commemorated every January 27. Each municipality joins the celebration of fiesta. Participants from the different neighboring provinces in the northern region are also sent to compete in the various games and activities, particularly the street dancing competition. This participation by other municipalities makes the Vigan City Fiesta not only a local event participated in by Vigan’s officials, but a national event participated in by other local public heads and national officials. Within the Vigan City Fiesta days, first the Longganisa Festival, it serves as the opening of a year-long cultural celebration in Vigan."Longganisa Festival is the first festivity celebrated in Vigan every year which usually happens every 22nd of January, the date of the cityhood of Vigan. The city has a longganisa-themed parade and at one time attempted to set a record for having the longest longganisa ever made. The festival has become a crowd-drawer as Vigan longganisa, a native version of Mexican salami, has a distinct garlicky taste that has become a favorite of the Filipino palate. Though other manufacturers have tried to copy the Vigan longganisa taste, they have not been successful. Biguenos attribute this to the fact that the making of Vigan longganisa is a centuries-old tradition of the local makers and all if not most of the ingredients used in making the native sausage is sourced from Vigan. There are thousands of visitors from other parts of the Philippines and other countries enjoying the cultural shows, parades and street dancing prepared by the local government with the help of the local industries and communities. There are also food fairs, arts and crafts exhibits of each municipality, as well as a visiting carnival.

        

    Through this new normal we celebrated as one and we are not afraid to socialize in crowded areas. Also the heritage city of Vigan never fails to amaze me like there is some contest that we need to join to show our talents . This small heritage city is becoming increasingly difficult to leave as the joy of living here grow stronger everyday. It demonstrates how people have a sense of community, and it represents their values.

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