Dagupan in search of 'prettiest' bangus

DAGUPAN CITY , Philippines  – Once again, the heaviest, longest and “prettiest” bangus (milkfish) produced in Pangasinan will take the center stage early morning today at the Magsaysay Fish Market here in the Bangus Rodeo.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, festival chairman for already three consecutive years, said this is among the most exciting and most awaited portions of the annual Bangus Festival which is now on its ninth year. 

The Bangus Festival is the city government’s way of promoting the best bangus grown in fishponds and fishpens in this city, known as the Bangus capital of the world, she said.

The search will be telecast live over ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda through the segment hosted by Winnie Cordero.

Emma Molina, city agriculturist, said so far, they have received 25 entries as of press time though they are expecting more to come before the deadline at 5 p.m., to compete in three different categories with cash prizes of P15,000 each for the heaviest, longest and prettiest bangus. First and second runners up will get P10,000 and P5,000 respectively for the said categories.

Three other contests, the search for the fastest bangus classifier, fastest bangus deboner and fastest bangus-eating couple will also be held today with a prize per category of P5,000 and consolation prizes of P3,000 and P2,000 respectively.

Contestant-bangus considered as sabalo even from outside this city are welcome to join, as in previous years.

So far, the farthest entry is from Bolinao which is in the remote part of western Pangasinan. Last year, the farthest origin of one entry was from Lingayen only.

Last year, bangus raised in Dagupan City fishponds won anew the heaviest and longest bangus titles while the produce in Binmaley fishpond was adjudged as the prettiest in an open invitation Bangus Rodeo.    

Both Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said the Bangus Rodeo is among the most-awaited events for the yearly Bangus Festival every summertime that shows the pride of the city and the protection the city is giving to its growers as well as to further promote the industry.

Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, who is a favorite judge in this annual contest, said a big factor for winning in the contest is the advantage of raising the fish in fishponds which they have been advocating.