The Lighting of the Vigan Christmas Tree was the highlight of the celebration of the Raniag, the Vigan Twilight Festival. The event was attended by Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina, Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Msgr. Vicente Avila, GMA AVP Oliver Amoroso and ABC Vice President Edmund Supnet. After the ceremonial lighting, a video mapping created by TVigan, was shown in front of the Vigan City Hall, followed by the Raniag Street Dancing where the Ilocos Sur National High School bagged the grand prize amounting to P 50,000.00.
Hundreds of sky lanterns lighted up the night sky in this World Heritage City at the Jardin de Caridad which is now a part of the local people’s tradition of giving light to the spirits of departed loved ones. Consequently, it has also become an attraction for tourists. Mayor Eva Medina saya that this festival is a pre-celebration of the Halloween season not only as an occasion of thanksgiving to the Lord and of dramatizing the Filipino tradition of commemorating the dearly departed but also to draw attraction to tourists and visitors.
The Vigan streets are also filled with lights especially during the Electric Float Parade. These are the lights that combat the fear of the younger ones about ghost stories and urban legend. The festival has made the night so colorful featuring the creativity of the Bigueños.
Other activities include the candle floaters offering and acoustic competition at Celedonia Garden, World Costume Festival-National Selection Exhibit at the Convention Center and Judging at Calle Crisologo, STAC Trick or Treat and the Zombie Outrun.
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City Tourism: (077) 722-8771 – 75 local 104
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