Young Roots
“Galila ed Pangasinan!”
By Johanne Margarette R. Macob
SUMMER season is more than a time for swimming escapades, at least in our beloved Pangasinan. In this land of salt, the summer months, particularly April and May, are quite synonymous to beauty, bounty, and unity.
In the capital town alone, one of the most awaited festivals in the country dubbed Pista’y Dayat (sea festival) offers jam-packed activities all geared at paying gratitude to the bounty of the aquaculture industry, to the beauty of the province, and to further promote unity among its people.
Swimming is no longer the only water activity. The sea festival, for one, brings water sports activities such as parasailing, banana boat rides, and skim boarding which endow a new level of fun to locals and visitors of the festivity.
One may also choose to witness a major showcase of beauty through the Limgas na Pangasinan pageant, float parade, and the photo exhibit at the Provincial Training and Development Center. Or we can stroll along the Capitol beachfront and take pictures of breathtaking views. A Pista’y Dayat tour itinerary should also include trying out our different local products in the 7th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo.
There are still other events everyone would not want to miss.
About a two-hour ride from Lingayen would bring us to the premier tourist town of Bolinao, that celebrates its Mangunguna (fisherman) Festival. This festivity is highlighted with unique swimming races — carabao swimming race, canoe race, and a swimming race the with a bamboo pole- being held in one of the country’s cleanest rivers, Balingasay River. The town also captures unity with an activity called pidudungo which gathers all its 30 barangays and beyond to eat and yes, celebrate together.
And of course, who is not aware of Dagupan City’s Bangus Festival? This celebration mainly honors the milkfish industry. As disclosed by the BFAR, one-fourth of the total nationwide milkfish yield comes from the region, mainly from the province, with the most delicious coming from the city.
Those I mentioned are just some of the reasons to explore our province. Yet, I strongly believe, that those reasons are more than enough for anyone to claim, “I love Pangasinan”.
Indeed, Department of Tourism-Region 1 Director Martin Valera’s pronouncement of the province’s potential to be the top tourist destination in the entire country previously is no far-fetched. To reiterate the governor’s call, let us all invest in our tourism. Galila ed Pangasinan!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
