VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — A day before the kickoff of the 2023 Longganisa Festival celebrations of the heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, the city government is ready to host this year’s festivities.

In an exclusive interview on Monday, City Events, Promotions, and Protocol Officer Edred Piamonte said, “The preparations have been finalized, we are 100% ready and are just gathering some requirements for the fiesta but nonetheless, everything is set.”

To launch the festival, the city will hold a fitness activity, Zumba Night on Wednesday, January 18 at five in the afternoon in Plaza Burgos.

Piamonte notes that this is because the city is aware of how much its citizens give importance to their health that the plaza is usually packed with people having Zumba. Hence, they scheduled a whole night for the event.

He also added that there will be an inter-barangay Zumba competition.

To continue with the festivities on the 19th, the city invited guest artists for the Eagle Vision@30 event in Plaza Burgos at 5pm including hip hop group Allmo$t, singers Rob Deniel, duo Allen&Elle and actress Meg Imperial.

Moreover, the Longganisa Cookfest, Street Dancing Competition and Longganisa Showdown Competition will be held on January 22, the Cityhood Day.

Among the other activities, Piamonte shared that the highlight of the 2023 Longganisa Festival is the Search for Miss Vigan on the 25th at the same plaza.

“This is in preparation for the Miss Ilocos Sur of the Kannawidan Festival. The winner will be our bet for the province-wide pageant,” said Piamonte.

He also emphasized the second year of the LGBTQIA+ day event, a contest of production numbers where two groups from each barangay cluster will showcase their abilities.

He quipped, “They will do what they do best, we know that they are not only meant for the parlors, they have the talent and the skills, so it’s one day for them to celebrate.”  

The official social media page of the city released on Sunday, January 15, the schedule of activities for the 11-day celebration of the festival.

The roster of events posted on their official social media page shows that the majority of the activities will be held at the Plaza Burgos.

It can be recalled that the city previously avoided the use of the smaller of the two major plazas to prevent further damage to its nearby cathedral after the massive quake in July.

With the cooperation of the church and the Divine Word College of Vigan, according to Piamonte, it is now allowed as a venue. (JCR/MJTAB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)