Francis N. Tolentino By Francis N. Tolentino   The Philippines takes pride in numerous festivals which celebrate its vibrant and rich culture as a nation. Nearly every local community has a town fiesta to celebrate at a certain time of the year. For whatever reason these celebrations are held – whether for thanksgiving like that of Lucban’s Pahiyas or to promote local products like Dagupan’s on-going Bangus Festival – these festivities almost always highlight the Filipino passion and creativity. Dagupan City’s celebration of the Bangus Festival not only aims to feature the abundance and unique variety of their local milkfish produce but also to strengthen unity and cooperation among community folks. The various activities lined up for the entire duration of the festival are seemingly a well-packaged gift for both locals and tourists alike. More than the entertainment valued street dances and concerts, or the grand food feast on the streets of Dagupan, the 2018 Bangus Festival also includes sports activities, family cooking competitions, and job caravans, which promote creativity, cooperation and solidarity within the Pangasinense family as well as the rest of the community. We congratulate the local leaders headed by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and the people of Dagupan City for sharing the treasures of the Milkfish Capital of the Philippines. No doubt, the Bangus Festival has become a tourist magnet for this Premier City of the North. More than the cultural value attached to festivals like the Bangus Festival of Dagupan City, these celebrations bring out the best in local leaders as well as in the people they govern.The tedious preparations made for such elaborate celebrations as the Bangus Festival of Dagupan, or the Sinulog of Cebu or the Ati-atihan of Kalibo, is always a challenge to local leadership, a test of their creativity and a measure of cooperation within the community. Apart from reflecting our dynamic culture, Philippine festivals bind our people together in unity of vision and synergy in action.