Cagayan folk gunning for a Guinness record, too

SANTA ANA, Cagayan — The Guinness fever catches on. This time, the fisherfolk of this northernmost town of Cagayan are aiming for the world’s longest flying fish grill.

To earn such a feat, Mayor Vic Rodriguez said they need to catch at least five kilos of flying fish and roast them simultaneously on a four-kilometer charcoal grill lined up along the town’s coastal highway.

Pinky Rodriguez, the mayor’s wife, said the event will highlight the town’s annual Viray Festival on May 30.

The town’s early settlers used a viray, a wooden flat boat, in transporting their produce.

Mrs. Rodriguez said the festivities will start on May 26 with the yearly Aldaw ti Panaglayag (grand fluvial parade) and end on May 30 with the Guinness attempt.

A carabao parade, street-dancing and Kannawidan nga Ay-ayam (indigenous games) are also lined up during the five-day festival.

"We would like to put on record that our town is not only endowed with splendid tourist attractions but is also rich in marine resources," she said.

Santa Ana, which boasts of the scenic Palaui Island and white sand beaches, is also known for its delectable, export-quality giant crabs and lobsters.

The town is also a regular destination of dolphins, sea turtles, humpback whales and other endangered marine species.

About four hours’ travel from the capital city of Tuguegarao, Santa Ana, seat of the Cagayan Export Zone Authority, dubbed the "Subic of the North," hosts a gamefishing competition by both local and foreign enthusiasts yearly.