Quirino’s Panagdadapun Festival: Celebrating 25 Years
Quirino Province marks another milestone as it celebrates the 25th edition of Panagdadapun Festival, one of Cagayan Valley’s sought-after festivities because of its color, diversity and cultural significance.
Quirino Provincial Capitol Complex
Literally meaning “gathering” or “convergence”, the festival was introduced in 1999 to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Quirino’s communities in an event which goes beyond the usual pomp and pageantry. It coincides with the provincial founding anniversary when it was carved out from Nueva Vizcaya on Sept. 10, 1971.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, Panagdadapun shifted to virtual and streamlined mode for two years to keep the festive spirit. Physical celebration resumed two years ago with the launch of its Basket of Happiness rebranding which featured the circuit of tourist-ready spots.
Governor Dakila Carlo Cua said that the weeklong merry-making will put to the fore once more Quirino’s ascent in the tourism’s big league as the festival reaches its silver year.
He added that the Festival is the best time to visit the province and explore its must-visit attractions such as the 100-foot Ganano Falls and its adjoining cascades in Diffun, the Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Aglipay, Governor’s Rapids in Maddela, and Landingan Viewpoint and Siitan River Park in Nagtipunan.
With the theme “Quirino: Mahusay, Matatag at Nagkakaisa sa Bagong Pilipinas”, festivities kick off on Sept. 6 topbilled by the Arts and Crafts Exhibit Fair and the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Agro-Industrial and Tourism Fair which promotes the destinations, crafts, culture, cuisine, and native crafts of the six towns in creative booths.
Day 2 will have the Farm Family Day, the Laro ng Lahi which revives indigenous Filipino games, the Rigodon ball for VIP guests, Job Fair, and a pageant which will select the new ambassadresses of tourism and goodwill.
The province flexes its sporty character with the Arnis Invitational Tournament, Bike Fun Ride for Humanity, Panagdadapun Zumba, and the 2nd Quirino Invitational Wakeboarding Competition, north Luzon’s biggest tournament featuring the country’s top wakeboarders at the full-course, world-class Quirino Watersports Complex.
Celebration peaks on Sept. 10 with the Anniversary Program and the Panagdadapun Street Dancing Competition which will put the spotlight on the local heritage through the six municipal festivals.
Fringe events include the launch of the Digital Infrastructure Project, launch of new home-grown food products from the Q-Life Center, color fun run, Battle of the Bands, and a closing evening concert.
All events takes place at the 110-hectare provincial capitol complex in Cabarroguis town, which is dotted by greeneries at the Orchidarium, Tree for Legacy Park, Bamboo Eco-Park, plant nurseries, resort-type hostels, museum and library, and a tree-lined boating lake.
Cua also noted that the province resumed last April the Quirino Motorismo, one of the region’s pioneer and biggest motorcycle sports tourism events to lure back the riding community. He said that the event achieved its “zero casualty” objective and gave a big push to their road safety advocacy.
For more information and updates, visit Quirino Tourism on Facebook.
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Read: A Beginner’s Guide to Quirino: Your Basket Of Happiness
