Binmaley showcases abundant fish supply in first-ever Sigay Festival

BINMALEY, Pangasinan , Philippines   – Some 20,000 Binmaley residents and visitors rejoiced Tuesday night as they enjoyed grilling fish and celebrated all night long in the first-ever Sigay Festival aiming to showcase this town as the “fishbowl” of the province.

Grace Rosario, who chaired the fiesta executive committee, said she did not expect the overwhelming support of the townsfolk who trooped to the town proper to join the grand street party – the first in the town’s 420-year history.

“I cannot say it was perfect but we tried our best to make the people really feel the fiesta ambience,” she said.

Rosario said the Sigay Festival, a brainchild of her husband, Mayor Simplicio Rosario, is their way of promoting Binmaley’s abundant fish supply.

She said the big difference of the Sigay Festival with Dagupan City’s popular Bangusan Street Party every summer is that Dagupeños and their guests primarily grill bangus (milkfish), which is the city’s main product.

In the Sigay Festival, she said Binmaley folk grilled the town’s major fish products like bangus, siganid, tilapia, crab, prawns, and shrimps.

Sigay is a Pangasinan word referring to fishing equipment or the process of culturing and catching fish.

Mayor Rosario recalled that when he assumed his post in 2004, he observed how Binmaley fishermen were deprived of their fish catch due to the proliferation of fishpens in the town’s rivers.

He conducted dialogues with the stakeholders and consequently implemented a “no fishpen policy,” resulting in abundant fish supply for the local fishermen.

“The reason why I am so happy is because this is a celebration and a thanksgiving and to show the Philippines and the world that indeed Binmaley has abundant fish,” he said, adding that 60 to 70 percent of the town’s income is derived from fishing.

“Maybe this is the start that Binmaley will be known not only in the Philippines,” he said.

Some 110 grill pads were distributed to all the 33 barangays as well as to government and non-government groups, establishment owners and balikbayans with one kilo each of bangus and tilapia. Residents though brought more fish, which they grilled and partook of during the night.

A fireworks display donated by former Cibac party-list congressman Kim Lokin wowed the crowd.