Masantol's seafood industry 'growing'

MASANTOL, Pampanga -- It was an overflow of shrimps, crabs, shellfish, tilapia and milkfish for this coastal town Wednesday morning, May 1, as it celebrated its homegrown “Seafood Festival.”

The festival also serves as a promotional activity for the town’s seafood industry, which continues to grow alongside the annual celebration.

“Sinimulan namin itong Seafood Festival noong 2014 para maipakita ang masasarap na seafood products dito sa Masantol at masaya kaming makita na mas lumalaki ang kita ng ating mga kababayan simula noong ni-launch namin ito,” Mayor Danilo Guintu said.

Anchored on the theme “Bunga Ning Pagal, Tulang Pisulu-suluan,” Municipal Tourism Officer Mercy Manansala said the annual fest held at the Masantol Civic Center was a thanksgiving for a year-round bountiful harvest of local fishermen.

Now on its sixth year, the celebration of Seafood Festival also marked the 141st founding anniversary of this town since it was separated from its neighboring Macabebe town back in 1878.

“Ito ay isang paraan ng pagpupugay at pasasalamat sa ating Panginoon at sa aming patron San Miguel sa masaganang hanapbuhay ng aming kababayan dito sa Masantol,” Manansala said.

Fishery and operation of fish ponds is considered the main source of livelihood of Masantoleños with millions worth of seafood products being exported by locals to different countries each year.

“Kilala po ang Masantol sa aming seafood products. Iyong aming sugpo at alimango na talagang dinadayo at ine-export. Ito ay paraan na rin namin para mai-showcase pa iyong mga produkto namin,” Manansala said.

This year, the local government opted for a more laid-back celebration by temporarily eliminating the street dance and parade usually participated in by Masantoleño youth.

“Ang gusto ko lang muna mas relaxed ang celebration this year, especially holiday ngayon. Ibigay lang muna sa mga kapitan at sa mga kababayan namin itong araw na ito, at matikman lang nila iyong mga produkto namin,” Manansala said.

All the 26 barangays, as well as seafood market vendors, pooled in their fresh harvests and products to serve their fellow Masantoleños and tourists who came to witness the festival, Guintu said.

Asked what makes Masantol’s seafood special, Guintu said: “Pinakamalaki at masarap. Ito siguro dahil ang Masantol ay nasa dulo, iyong tubig na mula sa ilog umaapaw papunta sa mga palaisdaan at nagsisilbing abono sa mga produkto namin.”

Vice-mayoral candidate Councilor Boboy Lacap, for his part, said the Municipal Council is very supportive of the annual celebration of Seafood Festival.

“Ito ay ini-institutionalize na namin para maging tuluy-tuloy ang selebrasyon at tumatak po sa mga kabataan ang festival dito sa aming bayan,” he said.

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