9 things to look forward to at the "Tan-ok ni Ilocano: the Festival of Festivals!"

The whole of Ilocos Norte is excited for the 2^nd “Tan-ok ni Ilocano: the Festival of Festivals”! It will bring together 23 contingents from all towns and cities of the province for a grand showdown of festival dances at the Marcos Stadium in Laoag City on November 17, 2012 at 7PM. Here are nine things to look forward to at the show. (Photos are from last year’s event. All photos by yours truly, Alaric A. Yanos)

1. Jump shots done right

If you come to the stadium early, ask the performers for pictures of you together and let them show you how jumpology is best done without even lifting your G-string! 

2. Religious Enlightenment

Yes! It’s possible to have enlightenment in a show like this. Ilocanos are religious folks. Watch and learn how they venerate their Patron Saints as depicted in dance. It’s like the stuff that dreams are made of. 

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3. Elaborate and wicked cool costumes

I thought my photos of humungous ants were gonna hit the pages of National Geographic Magazine but turns out they were just some cool kids in costume! Meanwhile, the ladies put on layers upon layers of textile to make their costumes weigh a ton which will surely torture the lads who’ll lift them in their dance routine.

4. Mad Props!

Give mad props for the stage props! They’ve made gigantic versions of animals, plants and food! Imagine if they make empanadas that big in real life. With all that protein future Ilocanos will probably bear children who’ll grow up to 7 feet on average!

5. Dramatic Lighting

“Tan-ok ni Ilocano” is the grandest show the whole of Ilocos Norte will see this year. Besides the awesome performances, experiencing the event live is made more satisfactory with the fabulous stage lighting.

6. Bigger stage

The stage is bigger this year and has been moved farther in the oval so that the audience from the eastern bleachers can view the whole stage. 

7. Getting to know the Ilocano Crowd

If you’re an Ilocano, have you ever noticed that the audience in a show here is so hard to please? They barely applaud and when they do, it only lasts as long as a good fart. But the crowd during “Tan-ok” is different. The show’s festive mood transforms them to a loud, supportive, and cheerful crowd who applaud, on average, almost as long as the world record for the longest fart: 2 minutes and 42 seconds.

8. Georgina Wilson

I heard she will grace the event. ‘nuff said! Oh, did you know that she is part British and part Ilocana?

9. Laoag rising from the ashes

Last year, the Laoag City contingent gave a “meh” performance. Their score was lower than some contingents coming from 4^th class municipalities. Either they were too complacent of being the Capital of Ilocos Norte that they thought they own the best show in town or they simply underestimated their competition.

This year though, things are looking bright (Sunshine City bright!) in the Laoag camp with a renewed fighting spirit and a different choreographer (Mr. Christian Espiritu of Laoag City Gymnastics Group/ Showtime fame). I had a chance to watch their rehearsal and all I can say is there is so much “wow factor” and refreshing vibe to their routine that it really stands out from the other contingents. While Batac City glamorously depicts the origin of the Empanada, Laoag City uses a more universal theme of romance and humor in its act.

Mark the date in your calendar: November 17, 2012 @ 7pm. See you there and enjoy the show! 

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