Lingayen – Pistay Dayat 2016 celebration kicks off on April 22 to present a spectacle of events that reflect the beauty, artistry and wealth of the province’s natural and human resources, captivating tourist destinations and local industries which are sources of ‘civic pride among Pangasinenses.’
What used to be just a simple celebration which serves as thanksgiving for the bounty of fish harvest in coastal villages in Pangasinan, Pistay Dayat merriment has evolved through the years as a ‘sight to behold,’ featuring a wide-array of activities and events that draw a big crowd of people from all over the Philippines visiting Pangasinan this summer.
Pangasinan, under the leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., takes pride of the Pistay Dayat celebration which has gained prominence as the ‘Mother of All Festivals’ in the province.
Last year, Pistay Dayat was hailed by the Department of Tourism and the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) as first runner-up in the coveted Pearl awards (best tourism event – festival category).
As a Pearl awardee, the provincial government has been recognized for its stellar contributions in making the Pistay Dayat a boost to the province’s tourism sector.
Governor Espino will lead the opening program of 2016 Pistay Dayat at the Capitol beachfront on April 22 at 4PM, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo dubbed “Aliguas Turismo tan Ekonomiya” at the Provincial Training and Development (PDTC) compound.
In the evening of April 22, beachgoers and revelers will find time to enjoy the I Love Pangasinan (ILP) beach rave concert/party which is a joint activity of the ILP Movement and the San Miguel Brewery, Inc.
The opening of exhibit and the PanagARTela Art Workshop at the PDTC are scheduled on the following day, April 23, at 9AM.
The Capitol beachfront will be filled with a large group of sports buffs and spectators with the staging of two sporting events, namely: Paboksing ed Gulpo (April 29) and the Beach Volleybelle competition (April 30 – May 1).
Most-awaited sand-sculpting competition which features the artistry and ingenuity of local artists takes off on April 30 at the Capitol beachfront. Public viewing of sand sculptures is on May 1.
Twenty-four ladies from various parts of Pangasinan will vie for the Limgas na Pangasinan 2016 title at the coronation night slated on April 30 at the Capitol Plaza. On April 23, the Limgas candidates will outshine each other in the talent showdown and the parade of One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) –inspired festival costumes.
A Thanksgiving Mass will be offered on May 1 at the Capitol beachfront.
The Banca Parada, a fluvial parade of a large cluster of artistically-designed bancas cruising from sitio Bantayan of Pangapisan, Lingayen to Banaga in Bugallon will serve as the main delight of the May 1 revelry. The Pistay Dayat program and awarding of Banca Parada winners follow right after the fluvial parade.
At 4PM, best booths and exhibitors will be recognized during the Tourism and Trade Expo awarding ceremony while a Night Job Market organized in celebration of the Labor day opens at the Pangasinan PESO compound at 6PM onwards.
Other May 1 sponsored activities include: Panalo Ka Pilipinas by the Smart Company at the Capitol beachfront (10am onwards); 1st Pangasinan Skateboarding competition by the Pangasinan Skateboarding Collective at the Capitol beachfront (1pm onwards); and Mitoy Yonting concert sponsored by Unilever at the Capitol Plaza (7PM).
The San Miguel Brewery, Inc. will sponsor a Battle of the Bands at the Capitol beachfront on April 25-27; and Sayawan at Musikahan sa Dagat (beach party) on April 28-30.
The 1st Pangasinan Pistay Dayat Carshow and Motorshow sponsored by the Unite Productions is scheduled on April 30 at 10AM onwards at the Capitol beachfront.