LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to grace the Tan-ok ni Ilokano: Festival of Festivals on Friday evening at the Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Memorial Stadium here.
 
The President will serve as the guest of honor and will deliver an opening message.
 
Senator Imee Marcos will be the guest speaker of the festival night.
 
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco is also expected to attend the said event.
 
The festival will be the highlight of the 205th founding anniversary of Ilocos Norte.
 
This year will be the 10th installment of the festival which was started by then Governor Imee Marcos in 2011.
 
Some 10,000 seats have been booked through the provincial government’s online ticketing system, but this number is still expected to grow.
 
According to PCOL Julius Suriben, provincial director of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), they have assigned 800 police personnel and 500 military forces, reservists, and volunteers inside and outside of the stadium to assure the safety and security of the guests, audience, technical staff, and other participants.
 
During the festival night, all of the 21 municipalities and two cities of the province will showcase their respective town fiestas, culture, heritage, and history in dance form to compete for the championship title.
 
Provincial officials and local chief executives will also attend the festival to support the representatives from their localities.
 
Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc conducted an inspection on Wednesday to check the festival preparations at the FEM stadium.
 
The stadium gates will be opened for viewers and other guests starting at 4p.m. (JCR/AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)