Bright tales of two cities
Two remarkable cities far up in Luzon are promoting culture in the name of entertainment and comfort amidst the scorching summer heat.
La Union’s San Fernando City recently held its Sillag Festival of Lights while Ilocos Sur’s Vigan City, known for having kept its Spanish times’ infrastructural designs, celebrated its Festival of the Arts this month.
Three noted Manila-based rock bands traveled to La Union some weekends back to join the Sillag Fest held at the said city’s Poro Point Freeport Zone.
Spongecola, arguably the biggest draw of the four-day affair last month, entertained a delirious crowd of mostly young people mesmerized by their hits and onstage appeal.
Seminal alternative rock groups The Youth and Grin Department, on the other hand, joined forces on a Friday night gig for some nostalgic tracks and ageless vibes. “Okay ang Sillag Festival, tabing dagat ang venue, masarap ang food at masaya ang crowd,” expressed Andrew Balatbat, Grin Department’s frontman.
With activities like trade and food fair, car show, street-dancing competition and a fashion show attended by ace designer Frederick Peralta, Sillag 2015 apparently drew a larger crowd compared to previous stagings. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Poro Point Baywalk project even brought more promise for the area where you can find the famed Thunderbird Resorts (setting for the blockbuster No Other Woman).
“Partly through this festival, we want Poro Point to be an events place, a place to go for party people, the businessmen, the adventurous and the artists,” said Ives Nisce, chairman of Poro Point Management Corp. The event preceded the Hope
Lantern ceremony featuring the release of LED-balloons that symbolized Sillag or moonbeam, which reflects the hometown tradition of going out at night to socialize and dream big.
Spongecola’s Yael Yuzon appreciated the relatively wellbehaved audience who properly waited for the opportunity to have selfies with him as he went around the stage and into the crowd.
Nisce, also the CEO of Rang-ay Bank chain that helps Ilocanos put up startup businesses, also led the ceremonial lighting of the Sillag Village — the name for the spacious venue that also featured the Philippine Marines Drum and Bugle Corps playing melodies of radiofriendly hits.
He related, “The San Fernando Lighthouse here in Poro Point, the lighted costumes we’re seeing in dance competitions and everything Sillag related to light are collectively a beacon for progress.”
Meanwhile in Vigan, hotels that have kept their homey allure and Spanish colonial designs are naturally in-demand. The Vigan Heritage Mansion, located at the corner of Crisologo St. and Liberation Boulevard, had been successfully restored to keep that precise feel of embracing the past while keeping in touch with the present future.
The building, originally the ancestral home of the family of the beloved Ilocos Sur Gov. Pedro Singson where Pres. Elpidio Quirino used to visit, still showcases the age-old capiz windows and brick walls.
Owner Julie Singson-Manahan plans to bring in famous acoustic artists from Manila for special shows that will complement the relaxing ambiance of the place.
“When you stay here, you’ll get to taste the authentic Vigan food and marvel at the view of the heritage homes,” she said.
One of Vigan’s current attractions is the state-of-the-art dancing fountain that displays its colorful lights and water play during nights.