The Municipal Tourism Office headed by Rafael Saygo has opened the first-ever LGU-sponsored celebration of Tourism Month in Bayambang with an event that showcased Bayambangueño students’ knowledge of local history and current events as well as talent in culture and the arts. Simultaneously held on September 6 at the Balon Bayambang Events Center were four exciting competitions, namely Awaran (Bayambang/Pangasinan history and tourism quiz bee) Igulis (canvas painting tilt), Idamag (brochure-making contest) and Talintao (photography competition).

Municipal Councilor for Tourism Joseph Vincent Ramos delivered the opening remarks, saying that the program, with the theme “Sustainable Tourism — A Tool for Development,” is aimed at developing the tourism potential of Bayambang.

In Awaran, participants from eight schools, namely Pangasinan State University Integrated School, Ambayat Integrated School, St. Vincent Catholic School of Bayambang Inc., Bayambang National High School, Tococ NHS, Tanolong NHS, Moises B. Rebamontan NHS and Sanlibo NHS, bested one another in showing off their competence in academics, as they answered questions about the history and culture of Bayambang and Pangasinan. With the help of the Department of Education and coaches from different schools, the quiz bee not only displayed the intelligence of these students but also educated them and the audience about their town and province.

BNHS students Allyana Dorado and Grace Ann Aquino received P2,000 and P3,000 and a certificate each after garnering a score of 56 and 59 points, respectively. Mary Joy Cremino from SVCSBI received P1,000 and a certificate for coming in third with a score of 54 points.

Event host Julie Junio announced that Aquino and Dorado will represent Bayambang in the Provincial Quiz Bee, to be held at a later date, adding that the local government of Bayambang will be paying for their review and expenses for the upcoming competition.

A splash of culture and colors characterized the students’ entries for Igulis. Onions, corns, fishes, binasuan dance and the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church are the noteworthy images in the paintings of the top three winners, namly Nestor A. Bugarin from BNHS and Mia Antoinette D. Diaz and Aviel Patrick C. Gomez from SVCSBI. The judges for the contest were former Pangasinan State University arts professor Peregrino Larang and painter Jonathan Villareal.

Photographs for Talintao depicted the simple yet colorful life of locales. Participants shared their shots of Bayambang’s street scenes during a regular day, i.e., when people get on with their lives, and during the town fiesta when dancers brighten the streets with multicolor costumes and scintillating performances. Portraits of students taking a break at the plaza and praying inside the church, local produce in the busy marketplace, the Bayambang Municipal Hall, and the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church were also featured in the contest. The panel of judges, comprising of Local Civil Registrar Ismael Malicdem Jr., painter Jonathan Villareal, and Luisito Palabino chose the winning shots of Rynce Rose E. Orbillo, Nicola Glen L. Delos Reyes and Patricia Nicole F. Paa, all from SVCSBI.

The entries for Idamag featured Bayambang as “The Rising Star of Pangasinan,” “The Home of the World’s Longest Barbeque Grill and the Most Delightful Fish Buro” and “The Home of the Best, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” The judges for this competition – Bayambang Public Information Officer Resty S. Odon, former PSU Dean Dr. Clarita D. Jimenez, and Pangasinan II elementary school teacher Queenie Hazel Caballero – chose the works of Ma. Maila Justo of BNHS, Edgardo Salinas of SVCSBI, and Richard Paragas of Tococ NHS as the top three contenders.

Municipal Tourism Officer Rafael L. Saygo announced that the correct order of the winners will be revealed on September 14, during the culmination program for Tourism Month. He assured the audience that there is much to look forward to on that date, with the launching of the official Tourism Jingle and the Pamumuyungan LGU-private sector project as well as the holding of the Booth-making Competition.