7th ‘Himala!’ draws record-breaking crowd

Paoay, Ilocos Norte—More than ten thousand people joined the “Himala sa Buhangin!” Arts and Music Festival staged by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte at the Paoay Sand Dunes on April 30, 2019 estimates made by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office show.

An initiative of outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, “Himala sa Buhangin!”, or “Himala!”, is an annual event that features installations by Ilocano artists, and a variety of performances from local and national bands. It also showcases sand sport adventures such as 4X4 racing, sand castle making, sand boarding, and beach volleyball.

“This is the largest ‘Himala!’ crowd since the annual event started in 2012. This year, we reconfigured our ‘Himala’ activities and focused on the concert; expecting more participants because of the front act.” said tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz.

OPM rock band Kamikazee headlined this year’s event. The famous band rose to fame in the 2000s with iconic songs “Narda,” “Chiksilog” and “Huling Sayaw,” among others. The band was fronted by local talents, including Better than Noise, New Dynamix, and Slippery When Wet.

As part of the new set of activities this year, the Suba Sand Dunes Cooperative launched the 4x4 Drag Race.

“Our partners in tourism are trying to diversify the activities and products that they offer. We are expecting a lot from our partners and hopefully by next year we can introduce more activities,” Mr. Ruiz said. In all, over a hundred local talents were pooled together for the event's performances.

PGIN credits success to partners

In line with the aim of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) to strengthen ties with event partners, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office collaborated with the Bakers and Restaurants Association of Ilocos Norte (BRAIN) and Alorica for “Himala!” 2019.

“We had a tremendous support from our food sector. Several of BRAIN’s members joined us and provided products; more importantly, we have provided economic opportunities for them. Also, one of the largest business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the country, Alorica, was one of our partners.

“The support from the private sector was overwhelming. With the involvement of the private sector, we can have a more efficient and sustainable use of resources in conducting events,” Mr. Ruiz further explained. (Edison Justin B. Deus)

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog