Lingayen – The grand parade of hundreds of artistically-designed motorized boats dubbed “Banca Parada” will again cruise along the historic Limahong Channel from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan North, Lingayen to Banaga Bridge in Bugallon to serve as the main delight of the Pistay Dayat revelry on May 1.

The fluvial float parade staged annually as a feature activity of Pistay Dayat celebration is a showcase of the beauty and history of the revived rivers in the province which has undergone a series of clearing and silt dredging operations conducted by the Task Force Kalikasan as part of the “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko” advocacy of the provincial administration led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

Limahong Channel, dug by 15th century Chinese Pirate Limahong for his escape when he was pursued by the Spanish colonizers, is a historically significant natural feature of Pangasinan that was utilized for transportation in the antiquity.

Depicting this year’s theme “Masaganang Ilog at Karagatan, Yaman ng Pangasinan,” Banca Parada can be viewed along the river banks, on top and under the Domalandan bridge in Lingayen and in areas near the Banaga bridge in Bugallon.

Pistay Dayat commemorative program follows right after the banca parada where fluvial float winners will be recognized.

Participation to banca parade is open to all interested barangays (category 1); and national government agencies (NGAs), city/municipal local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and private business sector (PBS) groups (category 2). Acceptance of entries is until April 25.

Other mechanics and guidelines for the competition include:
• Contingents should provide their own motorized bancas that shall be prepared for decoration within the staging area at sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan North, Lingayen at 3pm on April 30;

• Decorated bancas must be docked at the designated staging area at least two hours before the start of the parade for judging;

• Materials that will be used as props decorations etc. must be dominated by indigenous and biodegradable materials; corresponding budgetary requirement shall be shouldered by the contingent;

• Floats depicting the competition theme shall bear the name and or/logo of the participating barangay/LGU, NGA, NGOa and PBS;

• Outfits of passengers shall be the official uniform of the participating contingent or any colorful outfit;

• Criteria for judging of the bancas include: ingenuity, creativity and artistry (30%), relevance to the theme (30%), dominance in the use of indigenous and biodegradable materials (30%) and over-all impact (10%);

• At stake in the contest include trophies and certificates of recognition and cash prizes as follows (for categories A and B): best fluvial float (Php25, 000), 1st runner-up (Php20, 000) and 2nd runner-up (Php15, 000).