Pista’y Dayat kicks off
LINGAYEN—Dancing and a drum-and-lyre exhibition at the Capitol Beachfront in the afternoon of April 11 signaled the start of festivities leading up to the celebration of Pista’y Dayat (Festival of the Sea) on May 1.
Governor Amado Espino Jr., joined by Department of Tourism Regional Director Martin Valera and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. also opened the “7th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo” and a photo exhibit at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) compound.
“Through this, we are able to further show the products and everything else that the province can offer,” said Espino, noting the growing number of participants and exhibitors since the Pista’y Dayat was expanded to more than just a one-day festivity seven years ago.
In the evening, the crowd was entertained by a guest orchestra with special participation of GMA star Yasmin Kurdi.
The expo dubbed “Aliguas ed Turismo tan Ekonomiya” runs from April 11 to May 10.
Some120 exhibitors — small and medium Enterprises (SMEs), tourism-related establishments, Local Government Units (LGUs), special interest groups as well as restaurant and food-services entrepreneurs — from Pangasinan, neighboring provinces and Cebu, Bicol and the National Capital Region (NCR) are offering a wide-array of best products, consumer services and promotional exhibits of tourist destinations.
Valera, for his part, congratulated the provincial government for “a very noble project” and said Pangasinan has the potential to be the top tourist destination in the country.
The photo exhibit, meanwhile, showcases the highlights of the previous and recent celebration of the Agew na Pangasinan and Pista’y Dayat and other big events of the province.
A photo contest was also launched.
A display of bonsai trees and shrubs are featured as well while food stalls and kiosks are lined up behind the Veterans’ Memorial Park.
The top three best dressed booths for food, gifts/toys/handicrafts/and furniture categories, respectively; best in landscape – open category; best in One-Town-One-Product (OTOP)/LGU exhibit; and best tourism exhibit were awarded in the evening.
Nightly activities that include musical entertainment, watersports events, and film showing are scheduled.–Johanne R. Macob with report from PIO
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