DAGUPAN CITY – In another memorable day here, the Pangasinan folks danced, cheered, and enjoyed during the Kalutan ed Dalan street party on Sunday, April 30.
GRILLED bangus during the Kalutan Ed Dalan street party on Sunday, April 30, in Dagupan City. (Contributed photo by Tricia Inigo)
Kalutan ed Dalan, which means grilling on the street, served as the main highlight of Bangus Festival celebrated every year here since it was launched in 2002 by then Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim.
The festival was launched as a way of establishing the city’s position as bangus or milkfish capital of the Philippines.
Since then, Kalutan ed Dalan became popular, drawing thousands of spectators who enjoyed the street party dance all night-long.
Every year, the festival, officially named Dagupan City Bangus Festival, attracts thousands of visitors.
This year, about 20,000 milkfish were grilled along De Venecia Highway Extension and the Pangasinan Philippine National Police estimated the crowd that gathered here for the event to be around 15,000.
Like the previous edition of Kalutan, party-goers enjoyed the night as seven showbands and individual artists alternated in entertaining the Dagupeños during the street party.
Among the performers were Ely Buendia, lead vocalist and songwriter of Eraserheads, Spongecola, Zac Tabudlo, and Gigi de Lana & The GG vibes.
The Bangus Festival is not just a food festival, it's also a celebration of Dagupan City's rich culture and history.
The Pangasinan PNP provided area security for the VIPs who attended and graced the event, including Sen. Francis Tolentino, Pangasinan Rep. Baby Arenas, Assistant Secretary Rolando Puno, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia and party, foreign diplomats, and Department of Foreign Affairs.