INTO sets summer, La Milagrosa fiesta events to sustain tourist influx

The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) has revealed events for the summer season, centering on the La Virgen Milagrosa Provincial Fiesta.

These activities will help to sustain the province’s burgeoning tourism industry, as 2,031,884 tourist arrivals were recorded by INTO last year, an increase of684.06% in a span of four years. The Holy Week season of 2016 alone welcomed more than 400,000 visitors.

Having kicked-off the summer calendar with the Ilocos Rocks Concert last Black Saturday, INTO now focuses on preparing for the upcoming La Virgen Milagrosa Provincial Fiesta which will begin with a nine-day novena starting April 27 at St. William Cathedral, Laoag. 

This will be followed by the La Virgen Milagrosa Capitol Light Show, and the pre-pageant of Miss Ilocos Norte, both scheduled on April 28.

May 1 will mark the feast of Sto. Cristo Milagroso, and La Virgen Milagrosa, who both arrived on the coast of the border between Badoc, Ilocos Norte and Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

On May 5, the last day of the novena, a fluvial parade and Marian exhibit will be held in Badoc, featuring also the Marian images of nearby province. The same will be included in the May 6 Festival Mass and Procession.

The Himala sa Buhangin! Arts and Music Festival, set for May 13 on the iconic Paoay Sand Dunes, will then highlight Ilocos Norte’s summer, featuring local performers as celebrity guests.

“Daytoy fiestatayo this year ket naisangsangayan gapu iti mapadpadaanantayo a bicentennial celebration,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Ianree B. Raquel.

(Ang fiesta natin ngayong taon ay espesyal at mahalaga dahil sa inaabangan nating Bicentennial celebration.). Ma. Christian A. Ramos, PGIN-CMO