8th SILLAG FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS LAUNCHED
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza | Photo By: GPC-PIO | Date: April 7, 2019
As the Sillag Honorary Chairperson, Provincial Administrator Jennifer Joan O. Manguiat leads the crowd in the lighting of the Sillag Villages during the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Sillag Poro Point Festival of Lights on April 5, 2019 at the Poro Point Freeport Zone, City of San Fernando, La Union. The Sillag Village demonstrated the importance of having a strong sense of community among the people while helping each one to be resilient.
PGLU SILLAG 2019 FLOAT. The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) joins the Sillag Festival 2019 Float Parade on April 7, 2019 held at Poro Point Baywalk, City of San Fernando, La Union. The highlights of the float were the traditional Bahay Kubo and the surfing industry of La Union representing the Agri-Tourism vision of the province.
Manifesting its zeal to promote tourism in the North the 8th Sillag Poro Point Festival of Lights was held on April 5 to 7, 2019 at the Poro Point Freeport Zone, City of San Fernando, La Union participated in by various agencies, organizations and entities.
Launched in 2012, the Sillag Festival is a project of Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), a subsidiary of Bases Conversion and Development Authority, in partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union. This much-awaited summer festival in the province drawn more than a hundred thousand visitors in its various events and activities this year.
The first day of the festival started with the launching of the La Union-Batanes Tour Packages at the City of San Fernando Airport. Other activities set in the afternoon were Sillag Delights Trade and Food Fair; Car Display; Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibit; a Fun Run dubbed “Sunset Run for Hope”; the Ceremonial Lighting of the Sillag Village; and a concert of the Filipino alternative rock band “Join the Club.” The lights used in main events underscore the symbolism of the Poro Point Lighthouse as a beacon of hope.
Lined up activities on the second day were Children’s Show; concert by the Filipino alternative rock band “Mayonnaise;” and a Street Dancing Competition where contestants wore light emitting costumes.
On the last day, activities include an Air Show; Cosplay; Lights Parade and Pyromusical Show; and a concert of the Filipino rock band “Sponge Cola.”
Many of the visitors were foreigners who came all the way from Europe, North America and South America just to witness the event. Some foreign tourists compared Sillag (which was derived from Ilocano word “sellag” meaning moonlight) to the Hindus’ Diwali or festival of lights.
The grand prize for the Lights Parade Competition was given to Lorma Medical Center followed by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and City Government of San Fernando, La Union as first and second runners-up, respectively. The grand winner for the Street Dancing Competition was awarded to the Northern Naguilian National High School while first and second runners-up were given to Saint Louis College and La Union National High School, respectively. The Best Decorated Booth Champion for the Big Establishment Category was awarded to the La Union Entrepreneurs for Progress Association followed by Villa Navarro Beach Resort and Restaurant as first runner-up and Monterey/Aquarex Marketing as second runner-up. For the Small/Medium Establishment Category, the champion was Lemon Infuse followed by Happy Lemonade and Lemon Hub as first and second runners-up, respectively.
Sillag Festival is a staging point to accomplish a much bigger objective to promote development beyond the confines of the Poro Point Freeport Zone. It aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists to encourage business and commerce in the City of San Fernando and the rest of the Province of La Union. PPMC has high hopes that they can double the activities and further publicize the festival next year.
