LGUs gearing up for Tan-ok

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Laoag City—All local government units (LGUs) in the province are in the thick of preparations for the coming 4^th Tan-ok Festival of Festivals set on Nov. 29, 2014.

Tan-ok showcases all the festivals of Ilocos Norte’s municipalities and city.

Laoag set to defend title

Laoag City mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas said the city will continue the story of Pamulinawen Festival, last year’s grand champion.

Ms. Fariñas said the Pamulinawen Festival tells the story from Laoag’s discovery up to the present.

She said the choreographers have conducted auditions for dancers, which primarily would be from elementary and secondary schools.

Ms. Fariñas disclosed that the city government has allocated P1 million for their participation for this year’s Tan-ok. She related that the big budget would be for participants, which would include drummers, their meals and snacks, honoraria for trainers and choreographers, and for costumes, props and others.

She hopes the allocation would suffice since old props from last year can still be utilized for this year.

“We are praying really hard for the gold”, the mayor said adding that it’s not the cash prize that matters but it’s the fame and prestige for Laoag.

Laoag is the defending back-to-back champions, winning in 2012 and 2013.

It was learned that Laoag already won twice in 2012 1nd 2013 since Tan-ok was launched in 2011 where the city of Batac were the first champion.

Batac to reclaim throne

Batac City, the grand champion of the 1^st Tan-ok Festival in 2011, is also in the thick of preparations to reclaim the top prize.

Batac City government administrator and organizer Atty. Chito Nalupta said that this year’s Batac Empanada Festival presentation will have three scenes that focuses on the Spanish times.

The city’s performers/dancers for this dance drama will be played by the city’s pride beauty queens and basketball players while the original dancers will serve as background performers.

Mr. Nalupta disclosed the allocated budget for the city’s Tan-ok presentation is not more than the grand prize of last year, which is P350,000.00.

He added that props would be recycle and only the costumes would be new.

Dingras, San Nicolas ready

Dingras mayor Erjo Valenzuela, meanwhile said that their contingent is now busy practicing.

Mr. Valenzuela said the Ani Festival will be more presentable and competitive this year compared to the past years.

The past Ani Festival presentations depicted the legend of Dingras but this year it would be purely focused on harvest time.

The mayor said that he also consulted the Dept. of Education for their assistance regarding the old history of harvesting with the hope that Dingras would also be on top this year.

The Damili Festival of San Nicolas is also being prepared for a “mega presentation” this year.