Village Connect
Fluvial Parade, Film Fest Awarding Conclude “Ilocos Norte 203”
The 203rd founding anniversary celebration of the Province of Ilocos Norte was concluded with the fluvial parade of La Virgen Milagrosa and awarding of best Tan-ok ni Ilocano films last February 3, 2021.
Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc led an early Thanksgiving Mass at the La Milagrosa Chapel, followed by the inauguration of a new Service Building at the La Milagrosa Cove in Badoc town.
Afterward, the images of provincial patroness La Virgen Milagrosa and Sto. Cristo Milagroso de Sinait, ferried in embellished Banca (boat), was paraded in the waters of Badoc. The procession was a reenactment of the historic arrival of the Blessed Virgin in the province.
In the afternoon, makers of the ten official entries of the first Tan-ok ni Ilocano Film Festival gathered at the Provincial Capitol lawn for the awarding of the best documentary that features the fabled strength and pride of the people of Ilocos Norte amidst the pandemic.
Besting nine other films is the “Panagwawagi” (Brotherhood) by Samtoy Productions. It depicted the cultural, historical, and political truths of an indigenous community in the province, particularly the brotherhood that originated from the dispersal of different tribes from Apayao.
“Panagwawagi has given a new and brave concept of brotherhood in one of Ilocos Norte’s Cultural Communities— Municipality of Dumalneg. From chronic tribal wars, displacement, and establishment of a peaceful and united community, its raw, straightforward, and intense delivery of the topic has made it stand out as a festival documentary,” Mr. Aian B. Raquel, Provincial Tourism Officer, described.
The Samtoy Productions bagged the Best Short Film award. Along with this, the production team and its chosen beneficiary each received a Php 50,000.00 cash prize.
Katha’s “Ang Mga Nawalang Pag-asa at Panlasa,” which highlighted the struggles of local food entrepreneurs and how they are slowly rising amidst the pandemic, ranked second; while Matamasa Production’s “Palong” (Wave), which revealed the opportunities and obstacles in the “black gold” or seaweed industry of Burgos town, garnered third place.
Aside from trophies, each production team and their chosen beneficiary earned cash prizes worth Php 35,000.00 and Php 20.000, respectively.
In addition to recognizing the successful conduct of the film fest, Governor Manotoc also remarked:
“I hope that this [Tan-ok ni Ilocano Film Festival] is something that can become an annual tradition. Kilala naman ang Ilocos Norte bilang lugar ng mga film shootings and why should not we also be known as a venue for movie productions and other media. Especially amidst COVID-19, we have to support the arts and use it as a sense of refuge in stressful times.”— Blessing Angel V. Agliam, PGIN-CMO
