Ilagan, Isabela—The weeklong Bambanti Festival celebration from Jan. 27 to 31 has showcased the province’s natural charm and culture and it’s increasing “growth curve” economy, Vice Governor Faustino G. Dy III said.
As director general of the 2020 Bambanti Festival, Dy stressed how province celebrates its economic, social, political, and cultural victories with its theme, “Pagpatuloy ang Tagumpay ng Pusong Isabela” (Keep up the Victory of Isabela Spirit).
Meanwhile, Governor Rodito T. Albano III said this year’s celebration capitalizes on the province’s continuous gains in agriculture, tourism, and other drivers of its economy.
“The festivity is equally a celebration of the victory and achievement of the province in various competitions awarded by the government and the private sectors on good governance,” Albano said.
Touted as the award-winning “Mother of All Festivals,” Bambanti was named to the Hall of Fame for Best Festival Practices and Performance in the Aliw Awards for three consecutive years, from 2015 to 2017.
The festival showcases the province’ community life, pride of place, history, and heritage, as well as its various indigenous world-class products, lifestyle merchandise items, cuisine and images of Isabeleños’ ardent love for their land of birth.
“The festival also celebrates the resilience and diligence of the Isabela farmer, who dreams to see the province as the country’s biggest corn and rice surplus producer,” Rep. Antonio ‘Tonypet” T. Albano said.
Isabela has “reached its vision” in numerous national esteemed awards, Rep. Albano added.
The 34 towns and two cities showcased their respective Agro-Eco Tourism Booths and crafted Giant Bambanti entries using only natural, organic, and biodegradable materials indigenous to the province.
The province, named after Spanish royalty, later crowned a queen to grace its banner festival in a battle royale of beauty, poise, wit and intelligence.
The grand coronation night for the Search for Queen Isabela 2020 saw Ms. Roseanne Camille Fernandez of Quirino town as winner.
Myra Yzabelle April Rola of Aurora was named Queen Isabel Tourism, Kimberly Jane M. Acob of Cabatuan as Queen Isabela Culture and Arts, Vjie O. Matias from San Manuel as the 1st runner-up and Mary Alexandra Wu of Quezon as 2nd runner-up.
Isabela also proved its reputation as the “Volunteer Capital of the Philippines” as more than 13,000 registered volunteers gathered at the Queen Isabella Park for a 3km “iRun for TAAL,” a charitable fun run, aimed at raising funds for the victims of Taal volcano eruption.
Also, the “Makan Makan” event showcased the production of noodles using rice, corn and cassava as raw materials for Isabela pasta, while the “Mainom” tilt highlighted indigenous wine and juice products present in the localities.
“Bambanti” is an Iloko word for a scarecrow. Last year, the Bambanti Festival was awarded by the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest gathering of people dressed as and dancing as scarecrows.
