6th Sillag Festival to Boost Tourism in La Union
The annual SILLAG FESTIVAL is seen to boost tourism in La Union with 150,000 people expected to participate in various activities at the Poro Point Baywalk, Poro Point Freeport Zone in the City of San Fernando, La Union during the three-day festival from
SILLAG AS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THE TOURISM EFFORTS IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION
The annual summer festival, which was launched in 2012, is a project of Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union. PPMC identified its unique historical landmark, the Poro Point Lighthouse, as the focal point of the festival, with “hope” as its central message. Sillag comes from the Ilocano word “sellag” which means moonbeam or illumination from the moon.
“Sillag is but a staging point for a much bigger objective to promote development beyond the confines of the Poro Point Freeport Zone. Through Sillag, PPMC aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists to encourage business and commerce in San Fernando City and the rest of the province,” PPMC President and CEO Atty. Felix S. Racadio said.
In order to position SILLAG as part of the integrated tourism efforts in the Province of La Union, the festival has been included in the annual foundation anniversary celebration of the province in 2013. In the same year, the Governor’s Award was conferred on the Sillag Executive Committee in recognition of PPMC’s efforts in bringing the beautiful and awe-inspiring landmarks to the forefront of tourist destinations and immeasurably helping in the improvement of the tourism industry. The award affirmed that coming up with a festival as part of the province’s efforts to promote La Union was a step in the right direction.
FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
The three-day festival will consist of various events that will cater to all ages and interest groups. It consists of symbolic activities that have remained staples since 2012 while adding more to its list of exciting and fun-filled events.
The first day of the festival will officially start at 6 a.m. with a Golf Cup at The Cliffs, Thunderbird Resorts. At 2 p.m., Leading Edge International Avi- ation Academy, a flying school, will hold an Open House to showcase its aircrafts and facilities at the San Fernando Airport. This will run until April 9.
At the Poro Point Baywalk, activities will start at 4 p.m. These will include a Bonsai Competition and Suiseki Exhibit, and “Sillag Delights”— a trade and food fair showcasing La Union’s products and cuisine. The military static display of the Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will showcase the B-150 Simba and 105 Howitzer.
Enthusiasts will enjoy the car show with 40 cars on display. At sundown, more than a thousand runners are expected to join the Sunset Run for Hope under 3 race categories - 3K, 5K and 7K which will take them through the historic Poro Point Lighthouse, the scenic Thunderbird Resorts then the Poro Point Baywalk. The most-awaited event of the evening will be the ceremonial lighting of the Sillag Village and Hope Lantern ceremony when a thousand LED Balloons will be released, lighting up the sky. A concert by Cueshe will cap the night. All of these activities will happen at the Poro Point Baywalk. The Fluvial Race or Lumba
ti Bilog (Ilocano for boat race) will take place at the San Fernando Seaport at 6 a.m. on April 8. This will be participated in by local fishermen. The afternoon activities will start at 3 p.m. with a Kite Flying competition at the Poro Point Baywalk. This will be followed by the performance of PMA Marching Band and Silent Drill. Dancers wearing illuminated costumes representing seven schools will compete in the Street Dancing competition. The second day will wrap up with a concert by Hale.
On the last day of the festival, activities will start in the afternoon at 4 p.m. with the Air Show by Leading Edge International Aviation Academy, Inc. followed by the
performance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region I Marching Band. At least 40 cosplayers wearing their favorite anime, manga and movie characters will parade by the bay. At sundown, LED and fire dancers will perform at the Poro Point Baywalk. A lights parade featuring lightadorned floats will start at the city plaza and converge at the Poro Point Baywalk. The visitors will expect a spectacular Pyromusical show that will include firebirds along the San Fernando Bay. A concert by Callalily will culminate the festival.
HOPE AS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF SILLAG
To grasp the rich symbolism of hope incorporated in Sillag Festival, it is important to understand how hope is represented in the festival’s main events. The Lighting of Sillag Village demonstrates the importance of having a strong sense of community and to help each individual to be resilient while believing they can always hope for a better tomorrow. The Sunset Run for Hope gives the anticipation that as the day ends, a bright new day beckons. Meanwhile, the Street Dancing competition with light adornments shows that each person can be a source of light to his fellow human beings.
Through these meaningful activities, Sillag Festival offers visitors a unique experience in La Union as a counterpart of Baguio City’s Panagbenga Flower Festival and Clark’s International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
The annual staging of the Sillag Festival has benefitted the tourism industry of North Luzon through the generation of businesses in the region. Promoting one of BCDAs freeport zones, the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ), the Sillag Festival positions La Union as the beacon of socio-economic development in North Luzon.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS – KEY TO SILLAG’S SUCCESS
PPMC takes cognizance that the key to the growing success of Sillag Festival is the strong partnerships sustained over the years.
Sillag is run by a multi-sectoral executive and working committee led by festival chair and PPMC chairman Sherwin Rigor, festival co-chair Jennifer Joan Ortega-Manguiat and festival executive director and PPMC president and CEO Atty. Felix S. Racadio. The committee includes government agencies — the national and local government units, government corporations, various branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, and from the private sector — Poro Point Freeport Zone locators, the academe, civil society organizations, private companies and private individuals. The various media infrastructures, particularly those who have given positive reviews about the festival, played an essential role in inviting and increasing the public’s interest and participation.
The 6th Sillag Festival is made possible with the help of festival partners: The Provincial Government of La Union led by Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III; Representative Vini Nola A. Ortega; Ms. Jennifer Joan Ortega-Manguiat; Representative Pablo C. Ortega; City Government of San Fernando, La Union; City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto; Municipal Mayors of La Union; Manila North Tollways Corporation (NLEX and SCTEX); Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos; Poro Point Industrial Corporation; Northern Cement Corporation; Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.; Universal Robina Corporation; Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc.; Avolution, Inc.; Nestle Ice Cream; Hotdog on Sticks; La Union Electric Company, Inc.; Leading Edge International Aviation Academy, Inc.; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation; Latimco; Petron; Northern Real Estate Developers Corporation; Poro Exim Corporation; 101.7 Love Radio; Hyundai La Union; Car Pro; Benlife Insurance Company, Inc.; Theta’s Von Fitness Center; Skylander Gym; FitZone; Fit2Dance; Department of Trade and Industry - Region I; Department of Trade and Industry - La Union Provincial Office; Department of Tourism; Department of Tourism - Region I; Philippine Information Agency - Region I and Various Media Infrastructures; Philippine National Police – Region I; Philippine National Police – La Union Provincial Office; City of San Fernando, La Union Police; Northern Luzon Command – Armed Forces of the Philippines; Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon; 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing, Philippine Air Force; Naval Forces Northern Luzon, Philippine Navy; Philippine Military Academy; Bureau of Fire Protection - Region I; Philippine Red Cross La Union – San Fernando City Chapter; Department of Education - Region I; Commission on Higher Education - Region I; Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; Barangay Poro; Barangay San Vicente; Barangay San Agustin; Barangay San Francisco; Barangay Canaoay; Association of Tourism Industries and Networks; La Union Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association; La Union Conventions and Visitors Bureau; Fun Cycling Club; Chamber of Commerce and Industry of La Union; Saint Louis College; LORMA Colleges; Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University; Union Christian College; La Union Medical Diagnostics Center and Hospital; Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center; Bethany Hospital, Inc.; LORMA Medical Center; and Gawad Kalinga.