nina Timothy Fernando P. Sagun at Carl Jason M. Centeno

Libu-libong tao ang dumagsa at nakisaya at humigit-kumulang 200 na ihawan ang pinaningas at naging hudyat sa pagsisimula ng ikalimang taon ng pagdiriwang ng “Kalutan ed Dalan”, na may temang, “Labi’y Kalutan, Liket tan Gayaga” na ginanap sa Pangasinan State University grounds noong ika-4 ng Abril.

Layunin ng pagdiriwang na lalo pang maiangat ang turismo sa bayan, na pinangunahan ng Municipal Tourism Office sa pamamahala ni G. Rafael L. Saygo, katuwang ang Pista’y Baley 2019 Executive Committee sa pamumuno ni Hermano Mayor Dr. Henry Fernadez at Hermana Mayor Gng. Julie Fernandez, Local Civil Registrar Ismael Malicdem Jr., at Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. sa pangunguna ni Managing Director Romyl Junio.

Sa pagganap ng selebrasyon, buhay na buhay ang diwa ng pagkakaisa lalung-lalo sa mga dumalo kapiling ang kani-kanilang pamilya at mga kaibigan habang nilalasap ang samyo ng iniihaw na hito at tilapia na sinamahan pa ng malinamnam na liempo.

Dumagundong ang hiyawan nang magsidatingan at magtanghal ang mga kilalang personalidad sa telebisyon gaya nina Alliyah Cadeliña na nagpakita ng kahusayan sa pagkanta, ang ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ finalist beatboxer, Adrian Ferrer o mas kilala bilang “AD Beat,” at stand-up comedians na sina MC at Lassy na binuhay ang madla. Mas binalot naman ng ingay na umaalingangaw ang buong PSU grounds nang dumating ang “Pambansang Meme” at “Unkabogable” na si Vice Ganda, na nakipagkulitan sa madla. Dagdag pa rito, napasayaw naman at napakanta ang mga manonood sa pagtatanghal ng mga sikat na bandang Avant Music, Kamikazee at December Avenue, na tumugtog at nangharana sa dumagsang manonood.

Nakipagsaya rin sa nasabing okasyon ang ama ng bayan ng Bayambang na si Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao kasama ang maybahay na si Niña Jose-Quiambao, ang Sangguniang Bayan na pinamumunuan ni Bise Alkalde Raul Sabangan, Alkalde ng Alaminos City na si Arthur Celeste, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Chairwoman Rachel Arenas, at iba pang mga kilalang personalidad.

Sa kabila ng pagdagsa ng maraming tao, ang Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Public Order and Safety Office, at iba pang force multiplier ay nanatiling alerto para sa kaayusan at pagpapalawig ng seguridad sa lugar. Katuwang din sa kaayusan ng takbo ng programa ang mga miyembro ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) at Rural Health Unit (RHU) na nagbantay sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa.

(Photo credit: Ralph Michael Tumaneng)

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Phenomenal Comedians, Rock and Indie Bands Astound in 2019 Malangsi Fish-tival Year 5
by Noellah Jeannica Macam, Ralph Michael Tumaneng, Klieo Agacite, and Justine Bugarin

It was a night full of fun, laughter, and good music in the municipality of Bayambang where its residents, visitors, and tourists enjoyed in a smoke-tinted yet lively atmosphere as they flocked inside the Pangasinan State University grounds last April 4 for the Malangsi Music ‘Fish-tival’ Year 5.

The fourth of April 2019 was the night that every Bayambangueño was waiting for. Since the town seized a historical world record for the longest barbecue grill at eight kilometers for half a decade already, the tireless local community has one again rekindled the undying culture of collectively grilling and consuming thousands of freshwater fish while having a reunion with friends and family.

Being one of the highlights of the Bayambang’s 405th founding anniversary, the municipality has once again proven its continuous progress with a world-class performance and entertainment for all the jam-packed locals and visitors from neighboring towns and cities that waited until midnight just to see their favorite stars and bands.

The night was prefaced by the performance of different front acts, such as Eat Bulaga’s Music Hero finalist, Alliyah Cadeliña, known as the Ace Belter of Marilao, Bulacan; Adrian Ferrer or AD Beat, a talented beatbox artist who was once a finalist in ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’; local talent Jay-Crumch, who made a remarkable rap music that revolves on different social issues being faced by the townsfolk; and the perennial performers of the said musicfest, the Avante Music band which performed excellent covers.

A dance number of the local dance group, which made it to different competitions around the country – United Alliance Dancers – flaunted their skillful and breathtaking stunts and routines before the main act.

Each spectator turned ecstatic when the iconic duo, MC and Lassy, emerged out of backstage and started to make everyone cackle in laughter as they gave locals a taste of Manila’s irreverent brand of comedy bar acts.

Not later than the hilarious twosome came when the star of night joined them unexpectedly. The phenomenal star, Jose Mari Viceral or known as Vice Ganda, lost no time dropping punchline upon punchline, making everyone laugh so hard they burst in tears. Nonetheless, apart from unequaled entertainment, Vice Ganda also conveyed his recognition and appreciation of Bayambangueños’ hospitality and positivity in the face of circumstances.

“Ipaparamdam ng mga taga-Bayambang na tanggap na tanggap ka dito at parang kapamilya,” he said after some of his song numbers and performance. (Bayambangueños make me feel that I am accepted and like a member of their family.)

The fun doesn’t stop there. Though the night was going deeper as midnight approached, the fun only intensified when Kamikazee burst into the scene. Led by its energetic and humorous front man, Jay Contreras, the band sent youthful fans and long-time listeners into an uproar with some of their greatest hits, such as “Halik,” “Huling Sayaw,” “Agimat,” “Doobido,” and “Narda.”

A soft and mellow rock performance by one of the most promising indie rock bands of the Philippines – December Avenue – rounded out the show with such crowd favorites as “Dahan,” “Kahit ’Di Mo Alam,” “Kung ’Di Rin Lang Ikaw,” “Bulong,” and the runaway hit, “Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig.”

Judging by how much appreciative the folks populating the PSU open grounds were, the 2019 Malangsi Fish-tival proved worthwhile, even though lengthy, because it was tremendously engaging.

📷 Ralph Michael Tumaneng