ILOCANDIA’S LARGEST ILOKANO LANGUAGE EVENT KICKS OFF
[wp-svg-icons icon="user" wrap="span"] By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza | [wp-svg-icons icon="camera" wrap="span"] By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza | [wp-svg-icons icon="calendar" wrap="span"] Date: August 13, 2018
On behalf of her father Gov. Francisco Emmanuel "Pacoy" R. Ortega III, Disaster Relief and Rescue Management Volunteer Raphaelle Veronica A. Ortega talks about the importance of local language and culture in the province of La Union during the Opening Ceremony of 8th Ayat Festival held on August 13, 2018 at the Bacnotan Plaza Covered Court, Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union.
To raise appreciation of the Ilokano language, the Provincial Government of La Union led by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III through the Provincial Information and Tourism Office launched the 8th Ayat Festival on August 13, 2018 at the Bacnotan Plaza Covered Court, Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union with the theme: “Pabaknangen ti Kultura ken Lengguahe nga Ilokano” (Enrich the Ilokano Language and Culture).
The Opening Ceremony was capped by the Streetdance Showdown participated in by various schools from seven municipalities and lone city of the province. Performances of the participating groups reflected the culture, values and traditions of their respective communities.
The entries for the contest were Bangus Festival of Aringay, Pindangan Festival of San Fernando City, Tinungbo Festival of Pugo, Timpuyog Festival of Caba, Kawayan Festival of Sudipen, Diro Festival of Bacnotan, Daing Festival of Santo Tomas and Basi Festival of Naguilian.
Santo Tomas bagged the Championship title while San Fernando City and Caba were declared as First Runner-up and Second Runner-up, respectively. This is a consecutive win for the municipality of Santo Tomas.
On behalf of Gov. Pacoy, his daughter, Raphaelle Veronica A. Ortega rendered a speech about the importance of local language and culture in line with the province’s advocacy to develop a native yet modern identity so that it continues to be used, particularly by youth and for generations to come. Ms. Ortega is an active Volunteer of the Disaster Relief and Rescue Management Team.
“Our language and history tells of the profound and powerful bond between Ilocanos and nature. It is high time we return to our roots and renew and reinvigorate that connection. This is what our Ayat Festival is about - a celebration of the Ilocano people and our homeland,” she said in her speech. “Please join us in showing the country and the world, the universe rather what being Ilocano is about. Let us join our hearts and minds in the spirit of unity and love for all that is Ilocano,” she added.
The new version of La Union Henio was also featured in the kickoff program wherein students competed in a Q&A game of randomly chosen Ilokano words and some La Union history and traditions. Hailed winners from the Elementary Category were Pugo as champion and Bangar, Bacnotan and Sudipen as runners-up. Bacnotan, Santo Tomas, Santol and San Juan were the champion, first, second and third runners-up from the High School Category, respectively.
Other activities for the Ayat Festival include the Iskrabiloko (scrabble game using Ilokano words), Salip iti Deklamasion (declamation contest), Ilokano Chorale and Iloko Essay Contest which are scheduled on August 23 – 24, 2018 at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
Ayat Festival is a series of events celebrating and fostering local language, culture and talent in accordance with the Provincial Ordinance 026-2012, the Local Language Code of La Union otherwise known as the Iloko Code, a comprehensive policy establishing Iloko as the official provincial language and institutionalizing its use along with other national and official languages.
Sto. Tomas’ Daing Festival dancers, as the defending champion, perform their winning dance moves during the Streetdance Showdown as part of the Opening Program of the 8th Ayat Festival on August 13, 2018 at the Bacnotan Plaza Covered Court, Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union. Team Daing successfully bagged the champ as they showcased Sto. Tomas’ rich culture and history, with its iconic dried fish processing as the highlight of their performance. This is the second consecutive wins
Contenders from Bacnotan National Highschool write down their answers during the 8th Ayat Festival La Union Henio version 2.0 High School Category held on August 13, 2018 at the Bacnotan Plaza Covered Court, Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union. The duo emerged as champion for said category.
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