Dagupan makes 2nd Guinness attempt

DAGUPAN CITY — Malacañang has declared May 2 as a special day here as the city attempts again to break the Guinness record for the longest barbecue during its second Bangus Festival, which kicks off today.

Proclamation No. 356, signed by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, cited Dagupan’s bid to gain the title as the world’s "bangus capital" through the festival which coincides with the Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival) along the Lingayen Gulf coastline.

"It is but fitting and proper to give Dagupeños enough time to join and celebrate this important event with appropriate ceremonies," it says.

The Bangus Festival committee, headed by Elmer Lorica, said more people and organizations are involved this year to ensure the success of the event, which ends on May 3.

Lorica is optimistic that this year’s attendance would surpass last year’s 200,000 visitors, especially since six international and national events are being held during the eight-day festival with the theme "Bangus Goes Global."

The events are the American Legion Convention and the national photography contest today, the national taekwondo competition tomorrow; invitational beach volleyball championship, opening of the First National Bangus Congress and invitational dart tournament, all on May 1; and the Rotary International District 3790 Assembly on May 3.

Other activities — a repeat of last year’s — include the 101 Ways to Cook Bangus; Bangus ed Karosa, a grand float parade and competition; Bangus Rodeo; bangus-eating contest; WOW Dagupan!, a trade, arts and crafts fair, golf invitational, and a firework’s display.

President Arroyo will keynote the Bangus Congress and will lead the groundbreaking of a bangus processing plant.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who is Pangasinan’s fourth district representative that includes this city, has lauded Dagupan officials led by Mayor Benjamin Lim for sustaining the festival, so far the province’s biggest crowd-drawing activity.

Culminating this year’s festival is the Kalutan ed Dagupan (Grill in Dagupan), the city’s second bid to break Peru’s record of the world’s longest barbecue (613 meters long).

The city government hopes to surpass Peru’s feat by targeting the grilling of some 35,000 pieces of Bonuan bangus at least 1,000 meters long along A.B. Fernandez Avenue.

To properly document the event, Lorica said they are even hiring a helicopter for an aerial footage.

Lim is confident that the city will make it this time, saying more Dagupeños are now involved and better prepared.