LINGAYEN, Pangasinan April 20 – The grand parade of over a hundred artistically-decorated motorized bancas dubbed ‘Banca Parada’ will cruise along the historic Limahong Channel of the Agno River on May 1, serving as among the major highlights of the 2017 Pistay Dayat celebration.
From the staging area in sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Sur in Lingayen, the fluvial parade will pass underneath the Domalandan Bridge to end at the riverside below the Banaga Bridge in Bugallon.
Limahong Channel, dug by 15th century Chinese Pirate Limahong for his daring 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.
The annual banca parada is also a showcase of the beauty and history of the revived rivers in the province which has undergone a series of clearing and dredging operations conducted by the Task Force Kalikasan as part of the ‘Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko’ environmental advocacy of the provincial government.
Depicting the theme “Masaganang Ilog at Karagatan, Yaman ng Pangasinan’ , Banca Parada can be best viewed along the river banks starting from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Sur, Lingayen, atop or under the Domalandan bridge in Lingayen and near the fluvial parade culmination area in Banaga bridge, Bugallon.
Pistay Dayat commemorative program to be led by Governor Amado I. Espino, III follows right after the banca parada where fluvial float winners will be awarded.
Participation to the fluvial parade is open to all offices and hospitals of the provincial government (category A), city/municipal local government units, national government agencies and non-government organizations (category B) and barangays (category C).
Acceptance of enteries is open as of date.
Other mechanics and guidelines for the competition include:
- Contingents should provide their own motorized bancas which could be rented at P4,500. The bancas shall be prepared for decoration within the staging area at the sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Sur at 3PM onwards 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 to be used as props 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 institution or organization;
- Outfits of the passengers shall be the 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 winners in all categories, to include: Php25,000 (best fluvial float), Php20,000 (1st runner-up) and Php15,000 (2nd runner-up).
By Dexter A. See
