LAOAG CITY — The well-lit Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena comes alive on Thursday afternoon as world class Chinese performers and the best talents of Ilocos Norte took the center stage in a show of unity amidst cultural diversity.
Expressed in songs, dances, puppet and acrobatic shows, fascinating and daring performers wowed the crowd composed of the local Chinese community, students and representatives from government and non-government organizations here.
In spite of a short notice and preparation, Consul Wang Jiangquin of the Chinese Consulate Office of the People’s Republic of China based in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte lauded the organizers particularly a team from the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office that spearheaded the event under the supervision of Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos.
In her speech, the lady consul said, “it is with great honor and pleasure” for the Peoples Republic of China to perform live at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
“It is an unusual magic which could only happen in Ilocos Norte to put up this show on a very short notice and preparation,” said Wang Jiangquin.
For her part, Governor Marcos has greatly welcomed the Quan Zhou Cultural Troupe and other Chinese guests to Ilocos Norte to sustain the spirit of harmony between the Philippines and China.
Students from the state-run Mariano Marcos State University also showcased the traditional Ilocano dances in exchange to the colorful Chinese cultural show.
Now on its second year, the 2017 Ilocos Norte Philippine China Traditional Cultural Festival, which is free for all, is still a part of the continuing celebration of the province’s 199th founding anniversary.
Since the establishment of the Chinese Consulate Office in the province, the Chinese government had become more active partner of the Ilocos Norte government particularly in boosting agriculture, education, and tourism industry here. PNA-northboundasia.com