The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched a commemorative coin honoring Ilocos Norte’s “Tan-ok ni Ilocano” festival Monday, coinciding with the province’s 208th founding anniversary.
Gov. Cecilia Araneta Marcos and Vice Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc led the unveiling of the PHP5,000 silver coin, which has a face value of PHP100. It is the second of 12 festival-themed coins the BSP plans to issue this year to promote cultural heritage and tourism.
In a statement, the central bank said the coin series aims to celebrate Filipino culture and “raise public awareness and foster greater interest in the country’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2026, as well as ASEAN cooperation as a whole.”
The Tan-ok coin design features elements from the champion 2025 Basi Festival of Piddig town, including 23 icons representing the province’s towns and cities.
Senior tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz said 500 pieces will be sold at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium during the festival on Feb. 28. (PNA)