Good harvest festival draws revelers to Nueva Ecija town

By Sheen Crisologo

GABALDON, Nueva Ecija — “It’s another milestone to make this town as the next top tourist destination in Central Luzon,” said Carolina Uy provincial tourism officer during the 4th Gulayan Festival held here last Wednesday.

The festival is a celebration of thanksgiving and prayers to Saint Paul de Apostle. The locals believe that he will bless the town with more produce of vegetables as farming is their main source of living. This has been an annual event since 2012.

This year’s festival started early in the morning with a creative float parade wherein hand tractors decorated with vegetables, fruits and artistic crafts made through the efforts of barangay leaders followed by street dancing competition of 18 different elementary schools here

Mayor Rolando Bue said the festival will add attraction to the tourists and onlookers. The town is known for its crystal clear Dupinga River and Falls, surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain trails.

A total of 500 street dancers participated in the events.

Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos as the guest of honor who also joins the parade said the event showcase the creativity, talent and faith that worth to be witness by more people. He gave P30,000 as additional prizes for the street dancers.

Tagumpay Elementary School, a three-time winner on consecutive years, won the street dancing competition, with Kalabasa Elementary School and Bagting Elementary School as second and third places, respectively.