11/26/2014
11/26/2014
Bambanti festival
Written report
Bambanti festival
Written report

Colorful scarecrows filled the streets of Ilagan City, Isabela at the province's Bambanti Festival every January. The provincial government of Isabela also aimed to attract investors to the province, the country’s biggest grower of corn and mongo and second top producer of rice. Among the attractions at the festival were the 12-feet-tall giant scarecrows, a Festival King and Queen tilt, street dances and the staging of the musical “Mahiwagang Isabela.”. Isabela's 3 cities and 34 towns set up agro-ecotourism booths in the provincial capitol’s grounds to promote their products and tourist spots.
Bambanti Festival - Honoring the bountiful harvest of the province and its emerging agro-industrial prowess, Isabela celebrates the Bambanti (Scarecrow) Festival. The festivity showcases the scarecrow dancing spectacles and agricultural booths. The municipalities and cities exhibit their respective culture, beliefs, traditions, origins and products. Annually, the event can drew at least 250,000 crowds all over the Cagayan Valley Region, the biggest in the history of annual festivities in the region. It has become Isabela’s showcase of its rich cultural heritage and pristine natural beauty that made this province as the socio-cultural hub of the north. Bambanti" is an ilukano word for scarecrow. It is known to be a truly world class celebration in the valley. Bambanti festival was held at the same time with Isabela day.
Isabela Day - Anniversary of the establishment of the civil government of Isabela in honor of Queen Isabela II. It is noted for being the grandest and most awaited celebration not only in the valley but also in Northern Luzon as well. Activities like agro-industrial trade and tourism fairs, parades, sports events are conducted to entertain visitors. Also, one of the highlights of the celebration is the most prestigious of its kind in the country, the Miss Isabela which is an extravagant, colorful pageant featuring the candidates from each town/city of the province who exemplify Isabela’s youth and vibrancy. A grand fusion of fashion, music and dance with particular focus on Isabela’s tourism attractions and its leader.