THE province of Quirino recently opened the sixth Paskuhan sa Quirino, a monthlong Christmas variety fair and one of the most-anticipated Yuletide events in the Cagayan Valley Region. Held at the Quirino Sports Complex in the capital town of Cabarroguis, the fair highlights local craft, culture and tourist attractions of the provinced’s six municipalities.
This year’s theme, “Inspired Christmas among the Tribes,” features exhibit booths with ethnic motifs from the province’s indigenous peoples (IP)—Bugkalot, Agta, Igorot, Kalinga, as well as Ilocano lowlanders, to showcase their role in the sociocultural development of the province.
Quirino Gov. Junie Cua said the annual event was incepted in 2012 to showcase the simple, but meaningful way the province observes Christmas.
He said the Paskuhan is also one way of attracting domestic tourists to make Quirino their choice destination for their Christmas vacation.
Among the province’s top tourist drawers are the Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Aglipay, Siitian Nature’s Park in Nagtipunan and the iconic Governor’s Rapids in Maddela known for its massive limestone walls along the Cagayan River.
Cua noted this year’s celebration is special with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) the province received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its excellent performance in financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection and peace and order.
Quirino was also an SGLG awardee in 2016.
The province also welcomed guests from the University of the Philippines’s Business Administration Batch 1967, which conducted community-outreach programs to different barangays.
Paskuhan sa Quirino features live bands, giant-lantern display contests, food plaza, bazaar, musical presentations from public schools and other surprise activities.
The event will run until December 31, to be concluded by a Pyro Musical Display to welcome the New Year.
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran