A 17-day exhibit-sale, featuring the best of Region I that includes the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Norte and Sur and Pangasinan is expected to enhance the trade and tourism industry of the north.
The exhibit, with this year’s theme Intramuros: History Town Philippines presents Best of Region I Showcase, is held at the Intramuros Clamshell I Complex in Manila from April 15 to May 3. The four provinces show their respective cultural presentations, product demonstrations, food fair and even local fashion.
 A daily presentation of cultural and fashion shows are scheduled for each province. Last April 19, La Union Day showcased their video documentaries about the province; product demonstration; a raffle draw which offers the province special souvenir gifts as prizes; a DinengDeng (mixed vegetables cooked with fish sauce) festival; mini-fashion show featuring Mutya ng La Union beauties in their native costumes and evening gowns; fireworks display; a display of a fiesta scene by the Folklorika Ti La Union; and singing presentations of the San Fernando City Millennium Choir and the Ortega Singing Scholars.
La Union products such as tiger grass brooms, loom-woven blankets, locally known as abel; honey extracts; sugar cane and rice wines (basi and tapuey); and native basketry products were also on- exhibit and for sale. Photographs, featuring premier tourists’ destinations and merchandized goods were also displayed. Given much emphasis is the surfing tourist destination in Urbiztondo, San Juan, which is becoming a haven for sea-loving adventure-seekers. To date, the province is considered the surfing capital of Northern Philippines and the Botanical Garden of the North.
Highlighting the La Union Day are inspirational messages from Board Member Henry Balbin, chairman on the committee on tourism and representing La Union vice Gov. Martin Clarence De Guzman; San Fernando City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega; City Councilor Francisco “Kit” Ortega, representing Gov. Manuel C. Ortega; and Dir. Martin S. Valera of the Department of Tourism, Region I.
Also featured in the La Union exhibit are the Thunderbird Resort and Hotel, the La Union Hotel Resorts and Restaurants Association and the Poro Point Management Corporation.
Last April 18, it was the turn of Pangasinan to host their presentation such as the Pangasinan Trivia Challenge, Thanksgiving Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Manaoag and Cultural and Cocktails
Scheduled to stage their own presentations are Ilocos Sur day on April 25; Ilocos Norte Day on April 26. On May 2, a Fiesta Diay Iloccos ken Pangasinan will be presented. It is aimed to let exhibit-goers experience the taste of rural fiesta, Ilocos-style. It will feature Pinoy sports activities, Ilocano native delicacies will be for sale and a “Pasala (ballroom dancing.)” |
