In Photos: Isabela’s 2017 Bambanti Festival

IN 2013, the local government of Isabela, led by incumbent Gov. Bodjie Dy, enacted that the Bambanti Festival be celebrated separately from the provincial foundation every May. So for the first time in its 16-year history, the festival was staged in January of that year with the aim of giving thanks to the previous year’s bountiful harvest. After all, the bambanti (Ilocano word for scarecrow) is the fitting icon of the agricultural province because it serves as the protector of farms.

As such, the festival also became a grand affair with different competitions like street dancing, pageantry, and cookery. The highlight is the Bambanti Village put up in front of the provincial capitol. Here, participating cities and municipalities of Isabela were tasked to build exhibit booths that showcase their agricultural products for investment, natural destinations for tourism, and of course, the giant bambanti made only of ecological materials.

Then, this blog’s author—as a lifestyle reporter—was one of the fortunate print media representatives invited to attend and cover the festival’s exciting revival.

Published 2013 for The Manila Times, Sunday Times Magazine Cover

Four years later, this author—as a contributing writer—joined a media contingent brought in to experience the festival once more. And what could I say, that the Bambanti Festival was able to sustain its world-class productions, and more importantly, its meaning to Isabelenos. (Read published story for Business Mirror here.)

Here are the photos from this year’s coverage, which show the fun and flair of the 2017 Bambanti Festival in Isabela.

Bambanti Village

As mentioned above, the Bambanti Village was the highlight of the festival because it showcased the giant bambanti in different interpretations—some true to its frightening nature, others with a different twist, and a few, just out-of-this-world.

The winning bambanti and exhibit booth of San Agustin, the home of the nuang (carabao or buffalo)

The beauty and the beast—bambanti edition

Majority of the bambanti showcased at the village used only natural materials like seeds and shells

Yes, there were mechanical scarecrows too! Voltes V vs. Optimus Prime

Inabraw Cooking Contest

The Isabeleños’ culinary talent was also put to test in the “Kusinero ng Isabela,” a competition that tasked participants to put a unique twist to the inabraw, a traditional Ilocano stew dish with different vegetables and seasoned with fish sauce.

The chefs from the town of Tumauini took home the top prize

Here is their winning dish with the secret ingredient of coconut water and meat

A mix of modern and traditional takes on the inabraw

Street Dance Competition

Never to be missed in any festival was the street dance extravaganza! At Isabela, the much-awaited event was 10 times more energetic! The non-stop dancing was performed with such fun and flair by each of the town’s contingents drawing cheers from everyone in the crowd.

Dressed as a scarecrow, this dancer was all smiles throughout the routine

Different contingents in different formations—but all giving their best for the win

And this group even went as far as performing in blindfolds. Plus points to that for sure!

Festival King and Queen

Always a favorite in provincial festivities are beauty contests and the Bambanti Festival was no different. It also staged a pageant from which the Festival King and Queen were chosen. Each participating town entered their best bets who were not just handsome and gorgeous but also really talented. But it was during the costume contest when the lovely pairs really shone bright.

Just look at how meticulously detailed and stunningly beautiful their garbs were:

Representing the Tilapia Festival of Ramon

Calamansi is the highlight of this pair's festival costume

On the other hand, the theme of this pair is reminiscent of the Sto. Nino

Straight out of 'Encantadia'

The walis (broom) levels up in this attire

Exciting Events

Other exciting events that took place included a high-production musical, which was highlighted with a mob dance, as well as grand fireworks displays. A concert featuring ABS-CBN divas Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, KZ Tandingan, and Kyla culminated the 2017 Bambanti Festival on a high note.

The musical and mob dance