Bright-colored banners, creative costumes, upbeat music, and energetic yells enveloped the whole Poblacion area of Bayambang as 2023 Pista’s Baley kicked off with a grand parade and opening program held at PSU Bayambang Campus grounds, March 27, 2023.

With the theme, “Bayambang, Isulong ang Ninanais na Kaunlaran,” the week-long celebration of the town fiesta in honor of its patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer, featured various fun and exciting activities highlighting the town’s talents, products, and other attractions echoing its tourism slogan, “Bayambang, where the best things happen.”

The festivities started with a concelebrated mass presided by St. Vincent Ferrer Church parish priest, Rev. Fr. Reydentor Mejia, together with priests from other towns, Fr. Jomar Claveria, Fr. Gerbert Cabaylo, Fr. Jesus Allado, Fr. Edmar Olaivar, and Fr. Romnick Casio at the Pavilion I, Saint Vincent Prayer Park where participants from all sectors of the town also started to line up for the grand parade.

Exuding energy and festivity, street dancers from Bayambang and other neighboring towns and cities set the town in festive mode with their upbeat chants and yells and electrifying moves and synchronized stunts adorned with gigantic props and colorful costumes during their parade and street showdown held in front of the Municipal Hall.

The opening program, which was held simultaneously at the PSU-Bayambang grounds and Bayambang Events Center, formally commenced the week-long activities of festivity and merrymaking.

Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao formally declared the opening of the town’s fiesta and again reiterated her call for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders of the town. She also noted that behind the glamor of celebration lies the true essence of this year’s celebration of the town fiesta which are the people’s love for God and the unity of people as one family.

The town’s chief executive also reminded her constituents that this celebration is all about the founding of Bayambang and the unity of people in fighting poverty and in creating a brighter tomorrow for the next generation.

Further, Vice-Mayor Ian Camille Sabangan, Special Assistant to the Mayor, Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, the municipal councilors, department heads and other municipal officials also joined the opening program.

This year’s town fiesta is made possible through the joint effort of the Local Government Unit of Bayambang and various sectors, with the Municipal Tourism, Information, and Cultural Affairs Office and Bayambang Municipal Council for Culture and Arts taking the lead, and Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation and Niňa Cares Foundation providing major support.

Photo credits: Jayvee Baltazar (LGU-PIO), Xerxesh Gloria (LGU-PIO), Kassandra Clarisse O. Cristobal (BNHS), Meil Mary delos Santos (BNHS)