10th “Himala sa Buhangin!” attracts 30k attendees

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO), transformed the scenic Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes, in Paoay town into a haven of art, music, food, and other adventure-filled activities for the "Himala sa Buhangin!" Arts and Music Festival on May 13 and 14, 2023.

On its tenth year, the two-day celebration attracted almost 30, 000 attendees from the different part of the Philippines. The grandest festival of the summer season highlighted day and night events such as a 4x4 racing competition, sand castle exhibits, live music shows, and foam parties.

The first night of this year’s event featured the Filipino pop-rock band "The Juans." The band rose to fame with their iconic songs "Hindi Tayo Pwede," "Atin ang Mundo," and "Anghel," among others. While on the second night, internet superstar Gigi De Lana and the Gigi Vibes took the center stage of "Himala!

Local performers including “Mattilda,” “Local Kiddos,” “The Lavenders,” “Tihtus,” “New Dynamics,” “PIP,” “Kaizen,” and “Magrus” fronted the bands.

Krissy Achino, Letisha Velasco, and Ilokana megainfluencer Michelle Dy were among the social media influencers who visited the 2023 Himala sa Buhangin. Ms. Gazini Ganados, Ms. Nicole Borromeo, and Ms. Jamie Herrell, beauty queens, also attended the occasion.

INTO, also launched a new activity, the Motocross Challenge, where 150 riders competed. The two-day festival also featured a food strip promoting Ilokano-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises in the province. 

Senator Imee R. Marcos, who initiated the festival in 2012, also graced the said event, saying:

"Tunay nga nandito na ang ‘Himala!’ After 12 years, we are still celebrating La Virgen Milagrosa, our patron, so it is a real joy to see you all. Mag-enjoy tayo at sunod-sunod ang mga banda, alam ko bukas meron na naman. Ako po ang nanay ng ‘Himala sa Buhangin!’ at kayo ang ating mga kasapi at tunay na milagro ng Ilocos Norte."

Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc also expressed his gratitude toward Sen. Imee Marcos, public officials, the festival’s organizers, and partner agencies for this year.

"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," Gov. Marcos Manotoc said during the first night of the event.

Moreover, as part of the biggest celebration, the Provincial Government and INTO collaborated tourism-oriented agencies in Cebu Province, including local government units.

Philippine Airlines inaugurated the Cebu-Laoag and Laoag-Cebu route by launching marketing flights on May 12 and 15 to promote the regular scheduling of the route at the Laoag International Airport (LIA). Cebu based influencers and beauty queens bounded its first flight.

The 2023 Himala sa Buhangin Festival once again asserted the province’s reputation as one of the top tourist destinations in Northern Luzon.

“Kaya sa inyong lahat, thank you for attending ‘Himala!’ and we promise that the tradition of ‘Himala!’ will continue to revolve and will improve throughout the years,” Gov. Marcos Manotoc ended.