In the heart of the Philippines, the province of Isabela comes alive every fourth week of January, as it hosts the annual Bambanti Festival. As a matter of fact this cultural and thanksgiving festival, commemorates the founding of Isabela and celebrates the province’s rich scarecrow culture. The festival is a vibrant tapestry of singing, dancing, cooking, contests, and exhibitions showcasing the local products and the diverse talents of the Isabelaños.
Ettam Ngana Ta Isabela
This year, the festival carried the theme “EttamNganaTaIsabela”, a warm invitation that translates to “Come to Isabela”. The festivities kicked off with the Agri Ecotourism Exhibit and sale at Bambanti village, where the talent of the people of Isabela in creating Giant Bambanti and wonderful booths was on full display.
In the Giant Bambanti competition, Cordon bagged the first place in Category B, followed by Burgos and Delfin Albano. For Category A, the City of Ilagan emerged victorious, with Echague and San Mariano taking the second and third places, respectively. The Agri-ecotourism Booth competition saw Cordon and Echague taking the top spots in Categories B and A, respectively.
King and Queen Costumes
The festival also showcased a dazzling display of King and Queen Costumes, a competition that allowed each municipality in Isabela to proudly exhibit their local products and unique cultural elements. Harold Dela Cruz and Herman Timbang from Echague received the award for designing the Best Bambanti King and Queen title.
Makan ken Mainum Competition
The culinary highlight of the festival was the “Makan ken Mainum Competition”, a feast of local food and beverage. Therefore the competition, which featured makan, a local noodle made from cassava, corn, and rice, and mainum, locally produced juices and fermented drinks, was open to participants aged 17 to 24 years old. Dinapigue emerged as the winner in both the Mainum ti Isabela and Makan ti Isabela categories.
Street Dance Parade and Dance Showdown
The rhythm of the festival reached its peak with the Street Dance Parade and Dance Showdown. Moreover participants danced to the beat of their local music, filling the streets of Isabela with color and energy. On the other hand the Street Dance Parade, Santa Maria and Jones claimed victory in Categories B and A, respectively. Furthermore the Dance Showdown saw Sta. Maria and Alicia dancing their way to the top in their respective categories.
Queen Isabela 2024
Must be remembered the crowning glory of the festival was the Queen Isabela 2024 pageant. On this occasion after a fierce competition, Ms. City of Ilagan, Kristine Joy Guzman, clinched the title of Queen Isabela 2024 Ms. Echague was honored as Queen Isabela Culture and Arts 2024, while Ms. Sta Maria was crowned as Queen Isabela Tourism 2024. Ms. Roxas and Ms. Cauayan City were declared as the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Summing up, it left behind a trail of unforgettable memories, a testament to the rich cultural heritage and the creative spirit of the people of Isabela. The Bambanti Festival 2024 was not just a celebration, but a vibrant display of unity, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of the Isabelaños. Until next year, EttamNganaTaIsabela!
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