Sunday, March 02, 2008 Dagupan prepares for Bangus Festival
DAGUPAN CITY -- The city is gearing up for the famous Bangus Festival scheduled on April 16 to May 1.
Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Bangus Festival executive committee chairman, said the city will no longer bid for a Guinness World Record on the Longest Barbecue as it already set such a record years ago.
But the traditional Kalutan ed Dagupan (Street Barbecue Party) will still be there with both residents and visitors partying along A. B. Fernandez Avenue, while grilling Bonuan Bangus and being entertained by live bands.
Popular bands such as Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikaze, Bamboo, and singer-comedian Blackjack has already confirmed said the vice mayor.
Other events include street dancing dubbed as Gilon, Gilon! (street dancing), Bangus rodeo, Agew na Ilog (fluvial parade), "101Ways to Cook Bangus" cook fest, and the Great Dagupan Day Sale.
The Gilon, Gilon!, said Fernandez, will be transformed into a "festival of festivals".
Instead of confining the competition to local participants, she said it will be an "open" competition and they will invite other municipalities in and outside the province of Pangasinan to showcase their respective products or festivals.
In Pangasinan alone, there is the Pandan Festival of Mapandan town; Bamboo and Mango Festival of San Carlos City; Puto Festival of Calasiao; Talong Festival of Villasis; Longganisa Festival of Alaminos City; Corn Festival of Sto. Tomas; Binongey Festival of Anda and many others.
Fernandez and City Councilor Dada Reyna will be leaving for the US next week to promote Bangus Festival and to invite Dagupeños abroad to come home and join the festivities. (LCMY/Sunnex)
