THEMATIC

 The Vigan Longganisa Festival is an annual culinary and cultural celebration in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, honoring the city’s iconic garlicky sausage, Vigan longganisa. Tracing its roots to Mexican salami introduced during the Spanish galleon trade era, the sausage uses local ingredients like sugarcane vinegar and Vigan-grown garlic for its distinct flavor, and stands as Vigan’s flagship product under the national "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) program. The festival aims to promote the delicacy, preserve traditions, boost tourism, and combat counterfeit products through quality-sealed packaging. Typically held in late January—coinciding with the Vigan City Fiesta (honoring St. Paul the Apostle on January 25) and kicking off around January 22 (Vigan’s Cityhood Day) for up to 10 days—the event features vibrant street dancing parades with groups in colorful abel cloth costumes performing to Ilocano music, cooking contests like "101 Ways to Cook Longganisa," food fairs offering the sausage paired with dishes such as bagnet and empanadas, grand parades with decorated floats and cultural presentations, and special initiatives including past attempts to set a Guinness World Record for the longest longganisa and cookbook launches to promote the delicacy globally.

The sun-drenched street was teeming with a sea of people, all drawn by the vibrant street dancing performance at the heart of the event. From locals to visitors who traveled far and wide, countless individuals poured into the area—filling every available space along the sidewalks and even craning their necks from nearby storefronts just to catch a glimpse of the costumed dancers moving in sync to lively music. The air buzzed with anticipation and joy, as young and old alike gathered with one shared purpose: to witness the dynamic, colorful spectacle that brought the community and guests together in celebration.

This lively street performance features the Ilocos Sur National High School dance group, proudly representing our institution. Dancers move in coordinated rhythm, dressed in striking white upper garments paired with deep maroon plaid skirts and straw hats. With white discs raised and twirled dynamically in their hands, their flowing attire and synchronized movements bring vibrant energy to the urban street setting, showcasing both school pride and cultural expression.

This vibrant street performance showcases a dynamic group of dancers bringing energy and color to the urban thoroughfare. Clad in crisp white shirts, bold red trousers, and accented with flowing yellow and green fabrics that billow as they move, the performers raise their arms in synchronized motion, captivating a crowd of onlookers lined along the street. The backdrop of multi-story buildings and overhead wires grounds the lively display, highlighting a moment of communal celebration and artistic expression.

The Longganisa Festival is an annual highlight in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, celebrated each January to honor the city’s iconic Vigan longganisa and its cultural heritage. It coincides with Vigan’s cityhood anniversary on January 22 and the Vigan City Fiesta (in honor of patron saint St. Paul the Apostle) on January 25, with the 2026 edition marking the 25th year of the combined celebration.