The province of Isabela will celebrate its economic, social, political, and cultural victories during its week-long Bambanti Festival in January next year.
The much-awaited festival, happening on Jan. 21-26, will feature the Northern Luzon province’s community life, history, and heritage, as well as its various indigenous world-class products, lifestyle merchandise items, and cuisine in keeping with the theme “Victory of Isabela Spirit” (Tagumpay ng Pusong Isabela).
Hyping up the merry-making are entertaining programs and competitions such as Giant Bambanti Showcase, Bambanti Streetdance, and Showdown Competition, Search for Bambanti Festival King and Queen, Bambanti Village, and Isabela’s Master Kusinero Cooking Competition.
Bambanti is the Ilocano word for a scarecrow, which the province considers as protection despite the common notion that it arouses fear. It serves as the festival's mascot.
In last year's festivities, with the theme “Isabela, My Beloved Land” (Isabela Kong Mahal), Isabeleños showcased their love for the land of their birth by sharing with visitors how their family-inherited traits contributed to the fast-growing development of the province.
The Bambanti Festival has been named Hall of Famer for Best Festival Practices and Performance in the 2018 Aliw Award after winning for three consecutive years, from 2015 to 2017.
Go to www.provinceofisabela.ph to know more about the festival.
