Thousands watch Bangus Fest’s ‘Festivals of the North’
THOUSANDS came to watch and were awed by the ‘Festivals of the North’ yesterday that saw 16 street dancing champions from various cities and towns of the province and the Ilocos Region perform their winning choreographs.
With the major streets closed starting at 1 p.m., the street dancers in their colorful costumes began their parade at 3:00 p.m. from the city plaza. They were preceded by different floats from the city government and various government agencies and non-government organizations.
Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, executive chairperson of the Bangus Festival said the ‘Festivals of the North’ could become a permanent event in annual Bangus Festival. It was among the much-awaited highlights of the Bangus Festival 2008 that started April 16 and will end on May 4.
Dagupan’s entry in the “Festivals of the North” were the ‘Gilon-Gilon’ dancers of Barangay Mangin that topped the “Gilon-Gilon ed Baley” competition on the first day of the Bangus Festival on April 16.
The other entries were the champion street dancers of the ‘Pamulinawen’ Festival of Laoag City, ‘Pindangan’ Festival of San Fernando City, ‘We Love Bauang Festival of Bauang, La Union, and the ‘Dinengdeng’ Festival ofAgoo.
The local dancers were the Corn Festival champion of Sto. Tomas, ‘Galikayo’ Festival of Manaoag, ‘Kalansay, Payak Manok’ Festival in Umingan, ‘Pandan’ Festival in Mapandan, ‘Talong’ Festival in Villasis, Bamboo Festival in San Carlos City, Goat Festival in Balungao, ‘Binasuan’ Festival in Bayambang, ‘Mangga’ Festival in Infanta, ‘Goat Festival’ of Rajal National High School in Balungao and ‘Sugpo’ and ‘Malaga’ Festival in Binmaley.
As The PUNCH went to press, competitions were still ongoing with the overall champion set to bag a P150,000 prize.
Fernandez said the personalities who composed the board of judges were all from Manila to ensure that no suspicion of favoritism will arise.
Aside from the ‘Festival of the North’, the other awaited event is the ‘Bangusan’ Street Party on April 30 where people will fill the entire stretch of A.B. Fernandez Avenue to grill bangus and be entertained by nine big rock bands from Metro Manila.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
