KANNAWIDAN, 201 Years In The Making...

A festival of colours, a fusion of passion, and a celebration of culture- this is KANNAWIDAN, a solidarity, 201 years in the making...

Ilocos Sur, abode of many great and artistic minds. Realistically speaking, it is a break-up celebration. Yet not a moving on affair, it signifies the separation of the North and the South. It's a wonder why there exists two extremely identical cultures, while still having different identities.

The ethno-linguistic relations are quite the same, or better yet similar in many aspects. However, let us not be hypocrites, we know that the two have evolved differently from each other, although starting from one tongue and soul, it is now a true case of twins seperated from birth. 

We recognize this individuality of culture, as we celebrate yearly our KANNAWIDAN in the south, and PAMULINAWEN in the north. It is a clash and a fusion of talents for the southerners, as there is a situation where they are separated by a mountain in the east, and plains and shorelines to the west. Ilocos Sur is unique that it upholds oneness and solidarity amidst the terrain.

In KANNAWIDAN, it showcases a mix of spices and flavours, while providing a haven where the past meets the new. What makes it so special is not the cultures, arts, or even the talents; rather it is the people.

The people make the celebration, and the celebration is the people. It is a crowd of Ilokanos, proud of themselves. It is their pride, their joy, the smiles that make KANNAWIDAN. 

For the past 201 years, KANNAWIDAN is built by the people, to be for the people.

Change

"Someday I won't be afraid of my head, someday I will not be chained to my bed."- Alessia Cara

There are things hidden within us, unavoidable, mysterious, and nameless. They shape our identities, they make us, but it's hard to find them- they're called the "wild things".

It's not an undeniable fact, that as humans, we lack the idea of something undiscovered, brushing it off as unimportant; a neglect in our side, as a way to hide our imperfections. Truly, change is an incomprehensible fact, that we are all afraid of. "We fear nothing, other than the unkown", H.P. Lovecraft, truly knew what he was talking about when he said that the unkown is to be wary of.

Lying deep in us, is an existing entity, called "wild things". Formless, indescribable feelings, emotions, desires, and happiness, that we are yet to comprehend. Their main purpose is to begin an inner reconstruction, a recconection of the past, while connecting it with the future. It seeks to understand our past actions, yet understanding what lessons are to be brought in the Morrow's to come.

It changes our perspectives, because sometimes the yellow sunshine, could turn into a dark blue sky, but still if we view in in another light, it's not so bad at all. Honestly, we are caged in our own opinions, failing to act in our selfless accords. We deny ourselves the liberty of doing good in the world, hoping other people has thought of the same, and did what they have envisioned.

The wild side of life makes us discover a new hue, a different view in the looking glass. A truthful glance on the sad reality, that we all need help; and we need to help. A filthy hand can still help a man in his knees. No matter what the situation, it's arguable, that we suppress our wild things, we suppress our advocacies. We hide what we want to see, conforming to the reality of today.

Yes, change is an unkown, and helping can change the unkown. So what's to fear, is not discovering the undiscovered. The road not taken, is not always the right path, sometimes you have just got to stop and ask: is this my wild thing?, And change the world, as you say yes, one adventure at a time.

"We will carve our place, into time and space, we will find our way, or we'll make a way"- Alessia Cara