Diplomatic Corps Joins the Bangus Festival in Dagupan City
DAGUPAN CITY 02 May 2023 – In celebration of the Filipino Food Month in April, the DFA - Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD) in cooperation with the Office of the Dagupan City Mayor and local city government officials, hosted a Filipino food and history tour for the Diplomatic Corps at the annual Bangus Festival in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on 30 April 2023.
The event entitled: “Bangus Festival: Philippine History and Cuisine” showcased the annual Bangus (Milkfish) Festival celebrated in Dagupan City, the “Bangus Capital of the Philippines.” It featured bangusine (bangus cuisine), street dancing, bangus grill, deboning, day and night variety shows, trade fairs, drum and lyre parade, and street parties, among others. This year, it drew more than 10,000 spectators.
Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Archbishop Socrates Villegas and Dagupan City officials welcomed the Diplomatic Corps and DFA officials at a luncheon in CSI Stadia. (DFA photo)
Ambassadors and diplomats from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Royal Thai Embassy, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Embassy of Romania, Embassy of Malaysia, Embassy of Papua New Guinea, Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Embassy of Viet Nam, Embassy of the Russian Federation, and the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See were warmly welcomed by Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and local city government officials at the luncheon reception at the CSI Stadia and were treated to various performances by an anklung ensemble, the Ubol Dance Troupe of the Dagupan City National High School and the Koro Universidad of the University of Dagupan.
In her welcome remarks, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez said: “I hope Dagupan would be able to initiate and pursue meaningful relationships with cities from your country where we can work on mutual concerns and interests.” She added: “You will see in our community a growing, involved population of partners and volunteers eager to help and work together; dynamic public and private sectors with many opportunities; and a quality of life second to none. We invite you to experience our community’s hopes and aspirations and share your own as well.”
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines H.E. Archbishop Charles Brown, was invited to give his remarks, and was then presented with the symbolic Key of Dagupan City by Mayor Fernandez and Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
The welcome luncheon was followed by a visit to a DTI and Kadiwa ng Pangulo trade fair at the CSI Atrium, which showcased locally produced products from Pangasinan.
Ambassadors got to shop and check out the local products at the DTI and Kadiwa ng Pangulo trade fair inside the CSI Atrium. (Alexa Fernando and DFA photos)
Congressman Christopher De Venecia welcomed the Diplomatic Corps at the MacArthur Building at the West Central Elementary School (WCES). The WCES served as the living quarters of General Douglas McArthur after landing in the Gulf of Lingayen during World War II. (DFA photo)
Congressman Christopher de Venecia presented the guests with a customized fan featuring the iconic cultural symbols of Pangasinan. (DFA photo)
Congressman Christopher de Venecia, Representative of the 4th District of Pangasinan, and BHW Party List Congresswoman Angelica Natasha Co later met the members of the diplomatic corps. The two legislators accompanied them in a tour of selected areas and establishments in Dagupan including the MacArthur Building, Franklin Bridge in Barangay Poblacion Oeste, Bonuan Blue Beach, and the Alimango Restaurant.
Guests pose in front of the altar of the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, a historic church in Dagupan City that was established in 1614.
A visit to the Archbishop’s Palace followed the city tour. They were welcomed by a drum and lyre spectacle in front of the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Compound. Archbishop Socrates Villegas hosted the refreshments of local Pangasinense and Filipino cuisine, where an angklung and rondalla ensemble performed for the guests. Children wearing the national costumes of different countries and their parents greeted the diplomats at the Palace garden.
The Papal Nuncio His Excellency Charles Brown blessed the little Pope who was one of the children who welcomed the VIP guests entering the Archbishop’s Palace, as Archbishop Socrates Villegas smiled in the background. (DFA photo)
Children, garbed in different national costumes of various countries, welcomed the VIP guests of the Bangus festival as they entered the Archbishop’s Palace. Here in the photo are (from L-R) Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, DFA-OPCD Assistant Secretary Arvin de Leon, and Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy H.E. Mr. Tull Traisorat. (DFA photo)
Children, wearing different countries’ national costumes, put smiles on all the VIP guests’ faces during the group photo at the Archbishop’s Palace.
The Diplomatic Corps were joined by Congressman Christopher De Venecia, the DFA Team, and local government officials of Dagupan City in the Bonuan Blue Beach area. (DFA photo)
The Diplomatic Corps joined the street dance and bangus (milkfish) grilling during the lighting ceremonies–the highlight of the Bangus Festival. (Alexa Fernando photos)
The Lighting Ceremonies (Kalutan ed Dalan) on De Venecia Highway served as the main highlight of the Bangus Festival. There, the diplomatic corps was enthusiastically welcomed by Dagupeños and party-goers, and got to partake in the festivities–including the grilling of the milkfish, and dancing with the Gilon Gilon Street Dancers.
The Bangus Festival is the first cultural event organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the members of the diplomatic corps in Manila since the start of the pandemic. DFA-OPCD was ably assisted in the preparations by the Office of Protocol and the Intelligence Services Unit. END