Tribes the focus in Quirino Christmas

QUIRINO PROVINCE recently opened its month-long Paskuhan sa Quirino, one of the most anticipated Yuletide festivities in the Cagayan Valley Region.

Held at the Quirino Sports Tourism Complex in the capital town of Cabarroguis, the fair showcases local crafts, cultural diversity, and tourist attractions of the province’s six municipalities.

Now on its sixth edition, this year’s theme “Inspired Christmas among the Tribes” features exhibit booths with ethnic motifs from the Bugkalot, Agta, Igorot, Kalinga, and Dumagat indigenous peoples, as well as Ilocano lowlanders, to highlight their roles in Quirino’s sociocultural development.

“Paskuhan is one way of attracting domestic and foreign tourists to make Quirino their choice destination for the Christmas vacation,” says provincial governor Junie Cua who introduced the annual event in 2012.

The province’s top tourist draws are Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Aglipay, the Siitian Nature Park in Nagtipunan, and the Governor’s Rapids in Maddela which is known for its massive limestone walls along the Cagayan River.

The province also has a worldclass watersports complex with a wake park, winch lagoon, multipurpose pavilion, and hostel.

He said that the Paskuhan fair takes on a different theme annually to put the spotlight on diverse aspects of Quirino’s way of life.

Running until Dec. 31, Paskuhan features live bands, giant lantern contests, a food plaza, a bazaar, and musical presentations from public schools and government agencies. It will conclude with a fireworks musical display to welcome the New Year.