Love everyone, Love for everyone

Valentine's Day is a special time of year and it is when we celebrate love, affection, friendship and family. While many people think February is the only month for romance, its true essence is about something much larger. This day reminds us that showing care to those around us is an important gesture to humanity. By sharing our love without boundaries, we create a place in our hearts for every person along our journey.

Caring and loving each other is essential because it makes us feel better inside. Every single day not just on valentines is another chance to show a smile or to be a helping hand to a stranger or a friend. By choosing to be loving every day, we build a world where everyone feels safe and valued.  

Love should be for everyone regardless of who they are or where they come from. True love is genderless and knows no boundaries because it is a gift that every soul deserves. It does not matter what a person looks like or their social status. When we love everyone, we can make the world be more peaceful and be a happy place for all. ❦

Kannawidan unites us all

​Last January, we celebrated Vigan City’s fiesta and the Longganisa Festival, but this February, we are honoring the historic 1818 separation of Ilocos Sur from Ilocos Norte. This was the pivotal moment when Ilocos Sur officially became an independent province. To us, this isn't just a date on a calendar but it also marks the birth of our own identity as the people of Ilocos Sur.

The Ilocos Sur Festival, or Kannawidan, is a grand "festival of festivals." It felt like a massive reunion for all 32 municipalities and two cities in our province. Throughout the celebration many performances happened that entertained many people but for me, the true highlight was the Kannawidan trade and food fair, where every town showcased its local products and promoted its unique heritage. It served as a powerful reminder that while we are composed of many different towns, we are uniquely united as one.

Celebrating this historic separation has taught me about the strength of the Ilocano spirit and our ability to thrive on our own. Standing among the crowds and watching the fireworks light up the sky, I felt a deep sense of joy for our province and its people. This Kannawidan celebration makes me even prouder to call Ilocos Sur my home. ONE ILOCOS SUR!

All photos belong to The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur FB Page