Agbiag San Pablo! Agbiag Bigueños!

          

            I grew up on the streets of Vigan City, a vibrant, culturally and historically rich city. As I grew up on Salcedo Street, anytime I hear a band, heart-pounding thundering drums, the lovely sound of lyres, and jazzy trumpets, my 6-year-old self would hurry out to witness parades, processions, and most importantly street dance. After watching street dance my younger self would go home and when he’s alone he would dance without any music, imagining that he is in a street dance. Having this dream that one day
I would be a part of it.  




           The centerpiece and most anticipated event at Vigan's City Hood Fiesta, also known as Longganisa Festival, is street dancing. Elementary and high schools would recruit dancers before the Christmas break and have them train until January 22. But, given that we are in the midst of a pandemic, how would the city celebrate its fiesta? Despite the threat of a pandemic, Biguenos continue to commemorate the festival by holding a mass in honor of the city's patron, St. Paul the Apostle. When the sun went down, a parade honoring the saint would be held. Families would take part in the street dance to prevent the spread of the infection. Biguenos would spend the holiday at home with their loved ones. 

 But it's not just the culture and events that make me fall in love with and admire my hometown. It’s the resiliency of its people, Biguenos who can bring warm hearts and smiles. Our warm hearts where the spirit of the fiesta lives on, not just the Bigeunos but the whole Ilocandia rather! And smile to everybody’s faces despite of this never-ending rollercoaster pandemic that gives us false hopes in having a better future. Viva Vigan! Agbiag Biguenos! 


References:
  • Vigan City, World Heritage, and Vigan New 7 Wonder City Logo                     Retrieved on January 18, 2022  https://tinyurl.com/Viganlogo 
  • Longganisa Festival Layout Retrieved on January 18, 2022   https://tinyurl.com/LongganisaFestivalLayout
  • Capiz Window Retrieved on January 18, 2022 https://tinyurl.com/capizwindow


Comments

  1. RandelJanuary 21, 2022 at 11:01 PM

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  2. RandelJanuary 23, 2022 at 3:10 PM

    Hello there, Gab! I am amazed by the message of this blog of yours. The message is outstanding and very informative. Vigan is an iconic city, known for its historically and culturally rich view. The Vigan City Fiesta is among the remarks of Vigan City: magnificent street dance and parades, merry carnivals, and local products is the highlights of this festival. Sadly, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, it has shattered the vibrance of this festival. It is a sad news to hear but it should not stop us from commemorating the true heart and message of this festival. Viva Vigan!

    ReplyDelete

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