THE Bangus (Milkfish) Festival, a summer fiesta now on its sixth year, has increased investments in Dagupan City by as much as 500% and pushed bangus production higher by 30%, according to city officials.

Orpheus Velasco, city information officer, said bangus, the city’s top product, has also gained international recognition because of the festival during which the longest bangus grill was logged in at the Guinness Book of World Records.

Festival chairman Marc Brian Lim, son of Mayor Benjamin Lim, said preparations for this year’s celebration, scheduled from April 27 to May 2, are now in full swing with four new features added to the event.

The young Lim told local newsmen Thursday during the Kapihan ed Dagupan sponsored by the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association, that since the Bangus  Festival inception in 2002, the bangus industry consistently became more profitable due to increase in demand.

 The construction of the P100-million bangus processing plant, which is being funded by the Korean government, is expected to provide added opportunities for the industry. Speaker Jose de Venecia was instrumental in securing the Korean aid.

Echoing his father’s plans, the young Lim said, “It’s high time that the city will have its own bangus processing plant because it will stabilize prices and bring Dagupan to greater heights.”

The new activities this year will include the Pigar-pigar festival and street party, Pangasinan’s Best cooking competition, Pinoy Rock Competition and Treat Kita Kid variety show.

Pigar-pigar, a popular Dagupan concoction served at night along the city’s street eateries, is sliced beef fresh from the slaughter house cooked with little oil and onions and cow liver with vinegar as its dip, and preferred served as pulutan.

A grand motorcade, dubbed as Bangus Fest Caravan will travel around the 4th district on April 28.

Traditional events such as the Gilon! Gilon!, a colorful street dancing competition depicting the bountiful harvest of bangus and a certified crowd-drawing event, will be held on April 29.

The Kalutan ed Dagupan (Dagupan Grill) and the 101 Ways to Cook Bangus where seasoned cooks will showcase the succulent bangus in many distinctive recipes, will be held the following day.

Other events include the Bangus Rodeo, Musiklaban, Search for Bangus Fest King and Queen, Fluvial Parade, Palaro sa Dagat (beach games), Rock the Beach Concert and Pisasalamat (Thanksgiving) Mass.—EVA

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