Bangus Festival

photos credited to www.dagupanbangusfestival.com

Bangus Festival is one of the most exciting festivals in the Philippines. It is held from April 13 to May 1 in the City of Dagupan in Pangasinan.

Bangus Festival starts with the ceremonial lighting of 1000 barbecue grills that stretches to a kilometer. These grills are used to cook 10,000 pieces of bangus. 

Ceremonial lighting of 1000 barbecue grills

After that, Dagupenos starts the street party with the performances from the street dancers with colorful costumes that depicts the harvesting of bangus.

Street dancers

During the festival, many cooks participate in bangus cooking competition wherein they showcase their talents in cooking different bangus dishes. They also have fun runs, float parades, and learn how to cook bangus in 101 ways. But the most awaited event in the festival is the "Bangus Rodeo" wherein there is a bangus eating competition, bangus deboning competition and also the heaviest and biggest bangus competition.

Feast of the Black Nazarene

Devotees of the Black Nazarene during the procession

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated  every January 9. It is one of the most awaited feasts in the Philippines especially for the devotees because it is the day where they can show their "panata" or vow to our Lord. They participate in the procession just to touch the statue because it is reported that it can bring miracles.

The statue of the Black Nazarene was brought to Manila by a Spanish priest in 1607 in a ship but that ship was caught in a fire, thus resulting to the burned image of the statue. That's is the reason why it is "black" in color.

During the procession, the Black Nazarene will be brought out of the Quiapo Church (a landmark in Manila). The statue is placed in a carriage wherein the devotees wearing maroon clothes will try to grab the two long ropes to make the carriage moves. Many of them are barefooted to show their humility and devotion. Some others will try to touch the statue because they believe that it can produce miracles.

This festival is a way of the Filipino Catholics to show their devotion and faith to our Lord Jesus Christ and they believe that this strong faith will give peace and harmony to our families and our beloved country.

In addition, here's the affected areas during the procession on January 09, 2012:

1. Stretch of Roxas Blvd./ Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to TM Kalaw north and southbound lane.
2. Southbound of Quezon Blvd. from Recto to Palanca (Subway-Isetan Recto)
3. Stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd.
4. Taft Ave./Finance (westbound lane)
5. Lagusnilad/P. Burgos (westbound lane)
6. P. Burgos/Taft Ave (Freedom Triangle-northbound lane)
7. Villegas/N.A. Lopez
8. 25th Street/Bonifacio Drive (southbound)