CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - The Department of Tourism - Region 2 recently recognized this province as second runner-up in Best Cultural Festival for its Paskuhan Sa Quirino Festival during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) - PEARL Awards and 24th National Convention held in Boracay, Aklan on October 5, 2023.

In the province’s Facebook Page, it was stated that award is one among the most-coveted awards being conferred during the event to recognize exemplary practices of tourism stakeholders entire the Philippines.

The award was received by Executive Assistant to the Governor, Prof. Elmor Villaruel, and Aglipay Municipal Tourism Officer Benida Factor.

Launched in 2012, Paskuhan sa Quirino is now on its 10th year of gathering all Quirinians at the Quirino Sports Complex for a month-long celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ thru various Christmas symbols and activities.

From 2012 to 2015, Paskuhan sa Quirino featured various Christmas symbols such as Giant Christmas Nativity/Belen, Christmas Tree, Cathedral, Santa and Reindeers, among others.

A fireworks display, food bazaar, nightly shows, a carnival, Christmas booth competition, Christmas lantern competition, parade, choral competition, and Miss Gay Santa pangeant were among the crowd drawers during the month-long festivity.

In 2016, Paskuhan sa Quirino featured “Christmas Around the World” theme wherein Quirinians and visitors experienced the Christmas holidays in the USA, France, Egypt, Canada, Italy and China through the Christmas booths of the six municipalities.

From 2017 to 2019, the festival promoted the different ethnic groups of the province through the theme, “Christmas Among the Tribes” featuring the Igorots of Aglipay and Cabarroguis, the Gaddangs of Diffun, the Bugkalots from Nagtipunan, and the Ilocanos from Saguday. 

In 2020 and 2021, the annual celebration was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was replaced with Christmas Caravans in far-flung barangays, which featured children’s parties, tree planting, information and education campaigns on nutrition, forest protection, and distribution of hygiene kits.

Last year, the celebration resumed with Pasko sa Tribo Year 4.

According to the Quirino Province Facebook page, Paskuhan sa Quirino has been the platform for inclusivity and continuous cultural appreciation, education, and conservation of the rich and diverse culture of the province of Quirino. (TCB/PIA Quirino)