PAOAY, Ilocos Norte – The two-day Himala sa Buhangin Arts and Music Festival on May 13 and 14 drew a total of 30,000 tourists and residents, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) said.
The first night featured the pop-rock band "The Juans" who sang iconic songs "Hindi Tayo Pwede," "Atin ang Mundo," and "Anghel," among others.
Gigi de Lana and her band Gigi Vibes performed in the seond night despite figuring in an accident in La Union earlier in the day.
Local performers include “Matilda,” “Local Kiddos,” “The Lavenders,” “Tihtus,” “New Dynamics,” “PIP,” “Kaizen,” and “Magrus.”
Krissy Achino, Letisha Velasco, and Michelle Dy were among the social media influencers who graced the festival.
Beauty queens Gazini Ganados, Nicole Borromeo, and Jamie Herrell, were also present.
INTO launched a new activity during the festival, the motocross challenge, where 150 riders competed. The festival also had a food strip that promoted micro, small, and medium enterprises in the province.
Other activities held in the festival now on its 10th year were 4x4 racing, sand castle exhibits, live music shows, and foam parties.
Sen. Imee R. Marcos, who initiated the festival in 2012, also graced the event.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc thanked Sen. Marcos, public officials, organizers, and partner-agencies for a successful festival.
"We are not only here to enjoy, but we are also here to remember that our culture and arts, and all of these things, are what make us Ilokano," Manotoc said.
“Kaya sa inyong lahat (To all of you), thank you for attending Himala and we promise the tradition of Himala will continue to revolve and will improve throughout the years,” he added.