Bangus Festival Celebrates Dagupan’s Pride and Flavor
In Dagupan, every April smells like grilled bangus (milkfish) and joy.
The Bangus Festival began as a way to celebrate the city's pride in being known as the 'Bangus Capital of the Philippines.' Over the years, it has grown into the biggest and most anticipated festival in all of Pangasinan, bringing people together through culture, food, and fun.
Looking back to its early days, the Bangus Festival started in the 1990s as a simple harvest celebration, or what locals called “gilon,” mainly to welcome visiting balikbayans. But it didn’t take long before it grew into a full festival with special events like culinary contests, street dancing competitions, bangus grilling along the city streets, and lively stage performances.
In 2003, despite a heavy downpour, over 100,000 residents and tourists came together to place 10,000 bangus on 1,000 barbecue grills, each one meter long, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue grill. After investing millions in a second attempt, the city succeeded in surpassing the previous record of 617 meters held by Peru, earning the title of the world’s longest barbecue grill.
Breaking the Guinness World Record was just the first catch. Since then, the festival has hooked even bigger crowds and reeled them in. Every year, more tourists wade in to soak up the city’s warm vibe and join the celebration. It’s now a special time when everyone comes aboard to share in the fun.
As the festival gained more attention, Church authorities expressed concern that the lively celebrations were beginning to overshadow the veneration of St. John the Evangelist, the Patron Saint of Dagupan. In response, the local government worked to thoughtfully weave the city’s faith and traditions into the festivities, ensuring that the festival remained rooted in both culture and devotion.
Honoring the bangus harvest
The Gilon-Gilon ed Dalan (street dance competition) is one of the highlights of the festival, where locals and visitors gather along the streets to watch dancers perform a lively street dance that shows how bangus are harvested. It’s a fun and colorful part of the celebration that everyone looks forward to.
At first, 31 barangays joined the competition, each representing their own community with vibrant costumes and creative props to make the show more exciting. Later on, the contest was organized by clusters, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the festivities.
The search for the prettiest bangus?
Yes, you read that right! One of the festival’s most exciting events is the Bangus Rodeo, where local fish farmers compete to present the heaviest, longest, and most beautiful bangus raised in their fishponds just for this contest.
Dagupeño fish vendors also show off their skills in fast-paced challenges like the Fastest Bangus Classifier, Fastest Deboner, and Fastest Bangus Eater competitions, carefully checking every fish from head to tail.
The festival also features a culinary competition called “Bangusine” that highlights the best dishes made with bangus as the star ingredient, showcasing local flavors, creativity, and the versatility of this well-loved fish.
These lively competitions showcase the skill, dedication, and expertise of the Dagupeños. They reveal the deep pride and unmatched passion the community has for their beloved bangus.
A street full of bangus and celebration
Capping off the celebration is the much-loved Kalutan ed Dalan and Bangusan Street Party. It draws in thousands of locals and visitors, all excited to take part. It’s not just a regular street event, it’s a happy gathering where people grill bangus side by side, turning the whole street into one big fiesta. What started in the city’s central business district now happens along the Old De Venecia Highway.
While bangus sizzles on the grills, music fills the air. Live bands and local performers take the stage, making the night even more festive. Families, friends, and visitors all join in the fun, ending the festival with full hearts and full stomachs.
Keeping Traditions Alive and the Economy Thriving
These kinds of celebrations prove that art and culture are very much alive in the community. Congressman Christopher De Venecia continues to champion them, not just for the people but also to help our local economy grow stronger and more vibrant.
The Bangus Festival feels like a big family reunion where everyone’s invited. It’s not only about grilled bangus or street dancing, it’s about coming together, celebrating hometown pride, and enjoying the simple things that make Dagupan feel like home. Every April, the city reminds us that the best memories are made when people gather, laugh, and share good food straight from the heart.
By Christian Ramoso/Dagupan City