The World Costume Festival 2013, to be held April 26-May 2 in the heritage city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, is expected to be not only a pleasure trip but also an educational tour both for tourists and participants.

Delegates from all over the world will learn from each other about the culture and arts of each country, particularly the design of indigenous and modern costumes realized in theater and live performances.

This grand exposition and showcase of theater design and space will be a prelude to the World Stage Design festival to be held in September in Cardiff, Wales.

The arts event will also be highly competitive. Award-winning designers from different continents (Africa, Asia, Europe and South America) have signified their interest to participate in the event.

At stake for the winner is the Golden Kneeling Carabao Trophy, the highest festival award. Designed and sculpted by Joel Pragas, an engineer from Isabela, it is made of terra-cotta.

Other awards awaiting the winners are the Golden Burnai Jar, and gold medals. These will be given out during the GMA 7 Kapuso Fiesta celebration.

GMA 7, through Oliver Amoroso of GMA 7 Regional TV, will provide strategic support for the duration of the festival.

During the festival, the summit of the Organization of International Scenographers, Theater Architects and Technicians (Oistat) will convene in a conference called “Oistat Meets Southeast Asian Scenographers.”

Other side events set to take place are the Body-Painting Contest, Binatbatan Calesa Parade, Gay-Em Flores de Mayo, nightly fashion shows by fashion designers from Davao and international collaborative costume assemblage.

The World Costume Festival 2013 is being organized by Sinag Arts Foundation (with Rollie de Leon at the helm) in partnership with the heritage city of Vigan (through Mayor Eva Medina), coinciding with the annual Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts.

For more details, call +63-4121575 or 0916-3346607.