LAOAG CITY, Feb. 14 -- Ilocano creatives from 21 towns and two cities of Ilocos Norte will take the center stage during the 11th Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival, the grandest cultural showdown set on Feb. 16 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium here.

Organizers said this year's celebrations will revolve around Ilocano oral traditions, in recognition of the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee for oral traditions, Adelita R. Bagcal, who was recently acclaimed as the "dallot queen" of the province.

Dallot is a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilocano community in the olden times.

Over the years, the Ilocos Norte government has supported the creative industries, boosting their potential to foster cultural exchange, crea...