KAI MONTINOLA, KYLE ECHARRI, MARIS, ARTHUR NERY, ADIE Headline ONE ILOCOS SUR Festivities

Ilocos Sur knows how to really party as they did another round of the Ilocos Sur Festival. Imagine, a party for 12 straight days of people enjoying culture, faith, community, all in one place where every Ilocano, Ilocana, their friends, and family would enjoy from sun up to sun down in this province in the north. 

They started with the Ilocos Sur Trade and Food Fair where they set up various booths with the help of local entrepreneurs, artisans, making us all feel that the industry is thriving in this region and gave us reasons to come back. Caoayan won Best Booth and also featured products like Double Cacao Delight, Ube Vinegar, and tons of other things. They also had processions to celebrate the Eucharist, the Los Patrones for the faithful and the clergy. They also did a Grand Parade where they featured floats from different municipalities, and where Sinait, Sigay and Narvacan won best in class. They also did a full on drone show at the Quirino Stadium where ABSCBN stars Kai Montinola and Kyle Echarri performed to the delight of Ilocandia. Mind you, the crowd there went to 40,000 which is a big turnout compared to previous years. 

They also did a few days of homage to fisher folk and farmers, putting those tractors and produce in a parade, plus a program for those who went back to the province and the tourists too. They also did a blackout bingo for a whopping 100K no joke!

They also held a Tattoo Expo called Tinnatoan where Apo Whang Od's descendants did a lot of mambabatok skin work, and several of them won Best in Show in a competition done just on this festival. They also did Mister Ilocos Sur where Aries Patis won for his hometown of Santa Cruz. They also did sea based comps and a motocross plus Ilocos Sur Pride Queen 2026 where Luivie Bitongan won for Candon City. At the Miss Ilocos Sur 2026, gorgeous Nathalie Clarin won for the town of Narvacan. It was absolutely fun to see all of it happen at One Ilocos Sur! 

Manong Luis Chavit Singson's VBank Gets Launched in Quezon City

When things got complicated during the pandemic, Filipinos suddenly had to resort to digital payments and e-wallets to keep family safe at home, but still transact and conduct business during very dangerous times. This has not only given is access, but a variety of services that wasn't a norm to Filipinos throughout the country. From the need for access, internet connection has leveled the playing field and had given those in rural areas a very convenient way to pay, transfer and withdraw money even in remote areas in the country. Financial service should be easy, secure and could empower the underserved folks in the far flung areas. 

Manong Chavit Singsong knows this dilemma, and it has affected so many families nationwide. It's why he launched VBank, an app that is available in the App Store and Google Play.

VBank is quite different because it promises account creation entirely on the app, online, without the need to handle physical documents and suffer in long queues. Once registered, one can send money to banks, digital wallets, go pay your bills and buy mobile phone load in one place. If you prefer having cash, you can use it to cash in funds in over 6,000 of their partner outlets across the Philippines. This includes Tambunting Pawnshops, Puregold groceries, Alfamart convenience stores in the Philippines. 

They are also gearing to have VBank available in remote regions to make sure those who don't get financial connections would now be able to in a jiffy. Manong Chavit Singsong describes this as a way for people to participate in the economy for nation building and inclusion in financial services. The event was also witnessed by celebrity endorser and actress Ms. Aiai Delas Alas who was there at the venue to entertain guests and talk about the service. 

Manong Chavit also announced the start of his "58 days Pa-raffle ni Manong Chavit" which lets new users try out the app and its new features. He also did a daily raffle where users could get Php 5,800 , Php 58,000 and get a chance to win Php 580,000 on the 58th day. This would be best for the 77 percent of the population who until now has not been able to try the banking system. He wants to empower every regular joe. If you're asking about the significance of the number 58, it's his assigned number as he bids for a Senate seat in 2025. He's a man that's got "May Isang Salita" according to his slogan, I bet it's an opportune time to go do it!

KORINA INTERVIEWS: Lion of the North Hon. Luis Chavit Singson

This next interview by Ms. Korina Sanchez-Roxas is certainly going to be interesting. He's feared by many, and highly influential especially in the world of politics in the north, no other than former Governor Luis Chavit Singson.

Although Korina Interviews have turned into a very lighthearted format, Governor Chavit was more than game in answering issues, and promises to do it  no holds barred.

Much to Ms Korina's surprise, they talked about what happened with Governor Chavit and former President Joseph Estrada wherein he confirmed to have had a rift in the past few years. Aside from that, they also have talked lengthily about his feared persona which he says was just made up by those who are just trying to bring him down since politics has always been full of mudslinging especially during elections.

Governor Chavit also toured Ms. Korina Sanchez-Roxas in his Narvacan Resort and Baluarte in Ilocos where they encountered some of the fiercest animals on earth - all of which will be shown on January 8 at 5PM on free TV via NET25. Make sure you watch this season opener as it'll be a great jump-off of things to come on her show Korina Interviews.