Biggest, heaviest, ‘prettiest’ bangus awarded

DAGUPAN CITY – The biggest, heaviest and “prettiest” bangus (milkfish) took center stage yesterday in the Bangus Rodeo held at the Malimgas public market here as one of the highlights of the ongoing Bangus Festival, now on its seventh year.

For the sixth time, bangus raised from the fishponds of Anton Caneng and his mother Milagros of Barangay Pantal were crowned the heaviest and longest bangus.

For both categories, the winners got a cash prize of P15,000 and a trophy.

The heaviest bangus, according to Anton’s son, Kevin, who carried the winning fish on stage, weighed 6.8 kilograms and is already eight years old.

Kevin’s brother Sandrell held on stage the longest bangus, which is 93 centimeters long and about six to eight years old.

The Caneng brothers said their bangus entries have won six out of seven times since the Bangus Rodeo was held.

Both believe that Dagupan bangus stands out among all milkfish and has the best taste. Dagupan is known as the “Bangus Capital of the World.”

The “prettiest” bangus, on the other hand, came from fishpond owner Adela Caguioa of nearby Binmaley town who went home with the P3,000 prize.

Also awarded in the event were Melecio Melendez as the fastest bangus classifier, Elvira Yela as the fastest bangus deboner, and Edgar Grado as the fastest bangus eater.

City councilor Lino Fernandez, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, told The STAR that he is very happy with the overwhelming success of the activity as evidenced by the number of participants and spectators.

The “beauty and body search” for bangus was beamed live on national television via ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda morning show.

Meanwhile, Dagupeños relive today their 2003 Guinness feat for the longest barbeque as they grill about 25,000 bangus in the Bangusan Street Party along A. B. Fernandez Avenue.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, who chairs the Bangus Festival 2008, said there will also be a ceremonial lighting at 5 p.m. to be led by Sen. Mar Roxas and Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of Senate President Manuel Villar, and Department of Tourism officials.

She said city officials led by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. decided not to bid anew for the Guinness title, which Dagupan bagged on May 3, 2003, beating Peru’s record, with 1,007.56 meter-long interconnected grills.

“We want to perpetuate that memory as Dagupeños, displaying their unique unity, once again gather to celebrate through our grilling and street party,” Mayor Fernandez said.