Fides Enriquez

ILOCANDIA – A Culinary Journey Home

ILOCANDIA explores and celebrates the rich and persistent culinary traditions of the Ilocos region of the Philippines despite the ongoing challenges and uncertainties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Memories of Ilocano kitchens maintain deeply ingrained bonds of familial love, ancestral connection and cultural pride.

Harana: The Search for the Lost Art of Serenade

Upon his father's death, Florante, a classically trained guitarist returns to the Philippines after 12 years of absence. During his stay he rediscovers the music of harana - a long-forgotten tradition of Filipino serenading when men sang under the window at night to fearlessly declare their love for a woman. Intent on unearthing these unheralded songs, Florante travels to the remote provinces where he discovers three of the last surviving practitioners - a farmer, a fisherman and a tricycle driver. Astounded by their golden voices, Florante asks them to travel with him to perform and record these unknown songs. During their travels, the haranistas meet Brian, a shy young man who for years has been secretly in love with a schoolmate. The haranistas, who have not serenaded in the last thirty years, offered their services to serenade Brian's object of affection, resulting in one of the most tender moments of genuine harana captured on film.