by Justine Bugarin and Christien Artacho

Vivid colors and festive music filled the town as Bayambang’s Pistay Baley 2019 celebration commenced on April 1 through a traditional street parade featuring marching bands, street dancers, and floats representing government and non-government organizations, including one carrying the 2019 Binibining Bayambang candidates.

Organized by the Municipal Tourism Office under Supervising Officer Rafael L. Saygo together with the Pista’y Baley 2019 Committee headed by Hermano Mayor Dr. Henry Fernandez and Hermana Mayor Mrs. Julie Fernandez, the celebration started with a thanksgiving mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Allen O. Romero. Fr. Romero reminded his fellow Bayambangueños that the fiesta is not only about fancy and fun-filled celebrations but also about the renewal of Bayambangueños of their faith in God and devotion to their patron saint, Saint Vincent Ferrer.

Hundreds of spectators witnessed the parade that showcased the exquisitely designed floats of various public and private schools and other organizations. This year’s floats highlighted the flagship products of Bayambang such as corn, onion, and buro. Barbecue grills were also present in depiction of the municipality’s 2014 Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue, a feat that remains undefeated.

What is even more special with this year’s competing floats was the presence of effigies of St. Vincent Ferrer in commemoration of his 600th death anniversary and the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the town’s parish in his honor.

With the theme “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pagkakaisa at Pananampalataya Laban sa Kahirapan,” the Local Government Unit of Bayambang had lined up various activities in celebration of this year’s fiesta.

After the grand parade, an opening program was also held at the Pangasinan State University grounds where Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao formally declared the start of the more-than-a-week-long celebration.

Vice Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, representing the
Sangguniang Bayan members, emphasized in his speech the value of unity and love in the achievement of the town’s common good. “Tunay na pagkakaisa at pagmamahalan sa bayan ng Bayambang [ay dapat pagtibayin] dahil ito po ang magiging kasangkapan at ating magiging armas para tuluy-tuloy na madala po natin ang bayan ng Bayambang sa isang bayan na pinapangarap ng bawat Bayambangueno,” he exclaimed.

Bayambang’s Pista’y Baley 2019 is expected to continue to flourish as one of the best festivals in North Luzon as it highlights fun-filled festivities for all. (Photos by Justine Bugarin, Christien Artacho, and Revo Lazo; Aerial shots by James Marc Aquino)

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Street Parade, Nagpaningning sa Pagbubukas ng Pista’y Baley 2019
ni Mark Ever L. Terrado at Carl Jason M. Centeno

Isang magarbo at makulay na street parade na kinabibilangan ng mga banda, street dancers at makukulay na karosa ang sumalubong sa bawat Bayambangueño sa pagsisimula ng Pista’y Baley 2019 na may temang, “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pagkakisa at Pananampalataya Laban sa Kahirapan,” Abril 1.

Nabalot ng kasiyahan at dumadagundong na tugtugin ang mga kalye ng Poblacion na sinabayan ng makatindig balahibong performance ng mga street dancers galing sa iba’t-ibang paaralan gaya ng Saint Vincent Catholic School, Buayaen Elementary School, Cason at Amancosiling Elementary School, Sapang Elementary School at Bayambang I. Central School sa elementarya. Sa sekundarya naman ay ang Moises B. Rebamontan National High School, Saint Vincent Catholic School, Tanolong National High School, Tococ National High School at Bayambang National High School.

Ipinakita ng bawat grupo ang galing nila sa pagsasayaw na sinamahan pa ng makukulay at magagarbong kasuotan na tunay na pinag-isipan upang maging maganda sa paningin ng madla. Karamihan sa mga instrumentong ginamit sa kanilang pagtugtog kay yari sa indigenous at recycled material. Lalo pa itong pinatingkad ng dala-dala nilang props at sabay-sabay na pag-indak. Bakas sa mukha ng mga mananayaw ang ang mga matatamis na ngiti na hindi inda ang pagod at init ng sikat ng araw.

Ang bawat karosa’y kakikitaan ng artistikong pagkakagawa dahil sa iba’t ibang disenyo na nagpapakita ng pagkamalikhain ng mga Bayambangueño. Kabilang sa makikita ay ang Imahe ni St. Vincent Ferrer, mga produkto gaya ng sibuyas, mais, palay at iba pa.

Napuno rin ng hiyawan ang bawat sulok ng mga kalye sa pagdaan ng karosa ng mga naggagandahang kandidata ng Bb. Bayambang 2019.

Kasama sa nasabing parada ang mga miyembro ng Local Government Unit na pinamumunuan ni Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao at mga Non-Government Organizations, gayundin ang Philippine National Police, Public Order and Safety Office, at Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office na nagpanatili ng kaayusan.

Ang Pista’y Baley 2019 ay inorganisa ng Municipal Tourism Office sa patnubay ni G. Rafael L. Saygo kaagapay ang Executive Committee na pinamunuan nina Dr. Henry at Gng. Julie Fernandez bilang Hermano at Hermana Mayor. (Photos by Justine Bugarin, Christien Artacho, and Revo Lazo; Aerial shots by James Marc Aquino)

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