Festivals galore

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – It is this time of the year when festivals are dime a dozen and it seems there is no end to the merrymaking like this Banana Republic is not suffering from economic malaise.

In northern Luzon since February, festivals included the Panagbenga of Baguio, Etag and Am-amung respectively of Sagada and Bontoc, Mountain Province; Gotad of Ifugao and Longaniza of Vigan City in Ilocos Sur.

Last week in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, despite the intense heat of summer season, people from different walks of life witnessed the display of a big mango pie in its attempt to get the World record.

The main highlight of this year's celebration of the Mango Bamboo Festival was to establish a national or world record on biggest mango pie where San Carlos City is known for famous sweet-tasting mango.

Vice-Mayor Joseres ‘Bogs’ Resuello said about 86 barangays prepared their own one meter by one meter mango pie with the 14 others.

In Dagupan City, also last week, the city government held the Bangus Festival 2011.

The annual event had drawn thousands of foreign and local tourists to Pangasinan, and highlighted the local milkfish (bangus) industry.

Now on its 10th year, the month-long festival also established Dagupan City as a major tourist destination.

In 2003, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the “Kalutan ed Dagupan,” one the festival’s main events, as the world’s longest barbecue.

Globe Telecom sponsored several key events of the festival, including the Sonshine Radio Dagupan Fun Run: Takbuhan Para sa Kalikasan, Kalinisan at Kalusugan yesterday to raise funds for the beneficiaries of Pag-asa ng Buhay Association and other social concern groups under the umbrella of the Sonshine Philippines Movement.

Other key events included a showcase of 101 Ways to Cook Bangus; Gilon! Gilon! ed Dalan, a colorful street dancing competition depicting the bountiful harvest of bangus; the Bangus Rodeo, where bangus growers showcase their best products and sport their food-processing skills; and the grand Bangusan street party or Kalutan ed Dalan yesterday.

On April 29, Globe gave a special treat with the Globe Prepaid Super Slam concert – a variety show, a talent contest and concert to be headlined by rock band Calla Lilly.

Aside from the merrymaking, the 10th Bangus Festival also included a showcase of environmental programs to help ensure the sustainability of the local milkfish industry.

These included mangrove planting activities and a fishing contest, with prizes for those with the heaviest catch, biggest catch (total length, body length, and body weight in grams), and prized catch (the fish with the highest price) to highlight sustainable and environment-friendly fishing practices.

Still in Pangasinan, the provincial government lined up several activities in this year’s celebration of Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival).

This year’s festival with the theme Luyag Ko, Dayew Ko (My Province, My Pride) focused on environmental and sports development and revitalizing the culture and arts of Pangasinenses.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. will led the formal opening of the weeklong Tourism and Trade Expo at the Provincial Development and Training Center.

Provincial tourism officer Malu Elduayan said it has been a tradition of the provincial government to bring the best products and best places of the province in one venue such as the Pista’y Dayat, dubbed as the “mother of all festivals in Pangasinan.”

Pista’y Dayat is a tradition among local fisherfolk in thanking God for the bounty of the sea.

Pista’y Dayat activities include the Panagarte La art exhibit; the Provincial Information Office-sponsored photo exhibit dubbed Inpantekep na Apalabas tan Kaplesan; the Miss Limgas na Pangasinan search whose winner was crowned yesterday; the Konsyerto sa Gulpo band competition centering on environmental awareness and the Takayan na Dayew singing competition.

Other activities were a boxing competition at the Capitol beachfront on April 28; cycling competition and beach volleyball on May 1; Larong Pinoy on April 30; the two-day youth camp dubbed as Doypuay Kalangweran on April 30 to May 1; Sayawan ed Aplaya (street dancing) on May 1; and the Asin ed Asinan cultural show on May 2.

Meanwhile, some 100 decorated bancas take part in the Banca Parada (Fluvial Parade) today to showcase the clean rivers of Pangasinan.

The parade will be highlighted by the Pakar Awards to be given to coastal towns and barangays with the cleanest rivers.