Isabela’s Bambanti Fest opens today

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  â€“ It’s all systems go for the celebration of this year’s Isabela Bambanti Festival, one of Cagayan Valley’s grandest annual festivities, which will kick off today with the highlights slated on Jan. 30-31.

Vice Gov. Antonio Albano, the festival’s executive chairman, said this year’s theme, “Flying High,” aims to further enhance Isabela’s gains as an agricultural and investment haven not only in the country but also in Southeast Asia.

Albano said Isabela’s participation in last year’s China-ASEAN Exposition in Nanning, China gave the province a good take-off point to launch its investment potentials in the international market.

“The event presented the province as a great agri-tourism trade and investment destination to both local and international tourists and investment groups,” he said. 

This year’s celebration, according to Albano, is also an opportunity to again pay tribute to Isabelino farmers for their hard work, diligence and resiliency in making Isabela a consistent top corn-producing province and second in rice production in the country.

The festival, dubbed “bambanti” or scarecrow, was launched during the term of former governor Faustino Dy Jr. 

One of the highlights of this year’s festival on Jan. 30 is a street-dancing event where participants are dressed up as scarecrows. There will be a dancing showdown and fireworks display on June 30, which drew a crowd of more 25,000 last year.

Organizers said they expect a bigger crowd in this year’s festivities, which will also feature an agriculture, economic and tourism fair showcasing the province’s indigenous products on Jan. 31. A grand concert party by Isabela’s singing idols will cap the festival.