P’sinan fiestas set summer ablaze
Bangus bounty at display. One of the annual attractions of the world-class Bangus Festival in Dagupan City is the colourful Gilon-Gilon street dance competition where all the barangays of Dagupan City compete for the coveted championship crown. The photo above showcase an attractive and vivacious performance of one of the contingents , with of course, the prominent depiction of the best-tasting main product of Dagupan City. To most Filipinos, summer is practically the perfect time for vacations and adventures. Surely, beach outings earn the top spot in your getaway list, and most probably, it includes a visit to the fine beaches of the North especially Pangasinan’s beaches. Though with the ample selection of what-to-dos and where-to-visits this dry season, you’re summer experience will never be complete without partying to summer festivals. Yes, summer fiestas will definitely spice up your escapades into another level. Especially these festivals.
In addition to its abundant natural resources and pristine, exquisite natural attractions, Pangasinan takes pride in its vivacious summer fiestas.
And before your excitement gets ahead of you pushing you to start packing now, here’s a short guide to what you have to expect in Pangasinan’s top summer festivities.
Agew na Pangasinan
Jumpstarting this year’s Pista’y Dayat is the commemoration of the 434th Agew na Pangasinan (Pangasinan Day). The two-day celebration featured Bayambang’s Kalutan ed Dalan which triumphantly seized the Guinness world record of having the longest barbecue grill from Turkey. Since Bayambang is also celebrating its annual Malangsi Fishtival, approximately 50,000 tilapia were set for grilling. This international feat was held in celebration of Bayambang’s quadricentennial anniversary.
The Agew na Pangasinan also highlighted this year’s annual ASNA Awards which conferred accolades of excellence to outstanding Pangasinenses. The biggest attraction in the Agew na Pangasinan, with nearly 20,000 onlookers, is the Parada na Dayew which featured a cavalcade of colorful and creative floats from the different participating cities and municipalities of Pangasinan.
A showcase of promising industries. In recent provincial activities, the municipality of Mangaldan has shown great enthusiasm and determination to become one of the province’s finest municipality. In the flamboyant Parada na Dayew, it’s outstanding float which highlighted the country’s booming pindang industry got the approval of the judges, besting out all other 30 float entries.
Finally, out of 30 participating floats, Mangaldan emerged as the grand winner for float design having a carabao-inspired float starring the municipality’s main produc- pindang (dried and cured carabao meat).
Following the trail of the floats are the competing street dancers from the different cities and municipalities in Pangasinan in which the Lingayen contingent were hailed as champions. A cash prize of P100,000 was granted to both float and street dance champions.
Sea’s official party
Ensuing the celebration of the Agew na Pangasinan is the Pistay Dayat – the province’s biggest sea festival. This year’s revelry was officially launched on April 11 starting with the 7th Trade and Tousim Expo situated in Pangasinan Training and Development Center. More than a hundred of different booths and exhibits from Pangasinan, Cebu, and nearby provinces in Northern Luzon showcased a wide array of their best products and tourist destinations from which spectators can inquire about and enjoy. The expo will run until May 10.
In a short opening program at the Lingayen beachfront which immediately followed the opening of the expo, local officials on the lead of Governor Espino reiterated the deed of giving care and importance to our vast and bountiful water resources, which is the true essence of the celebration of the Pistay Dayat.
More exciting events are lined up for this year’s sea festival: Skim boarding (7AM, April 26, Capitol Beachfront); Palaro sa Dagat (8AM, April 26, Capitol Beachfront); Limgas na Pangasinan (Pre-pageant - 8PM, April 25; Pageant Night – 7PM, April 30, Capitol Plaza); Paboksing Ed Gulpo (3PM, April 28, Capitol Beachfront); Takayan na Dayew (7PM, April 28, Sison Auditorium); Soccer Competition (3PM, April 29, Capitol Beachfront); Sand Sculpting (5AM, April 30; 9AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Doypuay Kalangweran (1:30PM, April 30-May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Sayawan ed Aplaya (4PM, April 30, Capitol Beachfront); Acoustic Night (8PM, April 30, Capitol Beachfront); Thanksgiving Mass (7AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Banca Parada (8PM, May 1, Bantayan-Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Pakaw Awards (9AM, May 1, Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Dragon Boat Exhibition (9AM, May 1, Bantayan-Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Drum & Bugle Exhibition (9AM, May 1, Baywalk, Capitol Beachfront); Beach Volleybelles (9AM, May1-2, Capitol Beachfront); Rubik’s Cube Competition (9AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Water Sports Activities (9AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Kapuso Night (6PM, May 1, Capitol Plaza); and Triathlon (8AM, May 2, Capitol Beachfront).
The grand Gilon-Gilon
Alongside the Pistay Dayat festivity is another world-class merriment showcased by the Bangus Capital of the world. And one of the festival’s mainstay is the Gilon-Gilon street dance competition.
Garbed in gleaming, creative native costumes, accompanied by the roar of drums and the angst of stunts, Gilon-Gilon street dancers awoke and signaled the formal opening of Dagupan’s pride Bangus Festival 2014.
Whilst the Parada na Dayew, Dagupan City is also celebrating its famous Bangus Festival which features the Gilon-Gilon street dancing competition that attracts a multitude of both local and foreign tourists.
“Balon Dagupan, Gilon Na” were the cheers of the 22 groups representing various barangays of Dagupan at one of the most awaited activities of Bangus Festival, the Gilon-Gilon street dancing competition.
Gilon-Gilon street dancers showcased their expertise and exhibited world class performance as the fete of Bangus Festival goes international. Breath-taking exhibitions left spectators in great awe. Crafty props such as the giant “bangus” (milkfish) of Brgy. Lucao, and the big boat of Brgy. Pantal spiced up their performance, and their native costumes made of indigenous materials made the event even more colorful.
Their acts signified their extreme preparation for the competition as one of Dagupan’s bents. The dance moves of each contestant served as expression of their gratefulness for every year of bountiful harvest, which is the essence of celebrating Gilon-Gilon, and for the patron of Dagupan, St. John the Evangelist.
The parade started at 2:30pm from the City Plaza towards the main road of Dagupan City. As the contenders marched along the streets, a massive crowd gathered around to have their fill of the festivity. Cast of GMA’s TV Series Innamorata, joined the event as well which cause an uproar among Dagupan City residents. Mayor Belen Fernandez and Vice Mayor Bryan Lim together with the Balon Dagupan team gleefully joined the street dancers.
This year, Brgy. Pantal beat the 4th time 1st placer, Brgy Lucao, receiving a cash prize of P120,00. Lucao garnered a cash prize of P80, 000. Winning 3rd place was Brgy. Karanglaan; 4th place, Bolosan; and 5th place Tebeng. The three groups received P60, 000, P40,000, P20,000, respectively. - Willord Estero/ Christian Paul Terrado (FOCUS)
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