By Ashley Lucas - February 6, 2018
The province of Isabela is often overlooked as a destination for tourists, mostly because people head toward the white sandy beaches in the Ilocos region or the highlands of Mountain Province. But, if one takes time to dig beneath the province’s surface, you will uncover the town’s rich and vibrant past, colorful festival, beautiful people, and gorgeous attractions that make up its northern charm.
Needless to say, you need to endure a 10-hour drive from Manila to see this part of the country. You will, however, be granted a scene worthy of your time once you’ve arrived. There is the refreshing sight of greeneries, the view of the cornfields, and the typical herd of cattle on the side of the highway—everything is a feast for the eyes.
If you’re not yet sold, though, you might want to read our top 5 reasons why we think you definitely should visit the province:
5. Food
The Bambanti festival showcases the province's local products and produce
Alexa Villano
@alexavillano
Published 12:15 PM, February 05, 2018
STREET DANCE. The Bambanti street dance has won numerous awards from the Aliw Awards. All photos by Rob Reyes/Rappler
ILAGAN, Isabela – The province of Isabela held its annual Bambanti Festival from January 22-28. This year's festival theme, Isabela Kong Mahal (Isabela my beloved), saw each municipality and city of the province showing off their creativity in various forms. From the street dances, installations, ecotourism booths, and food contests, the Isabeleños proved that their festival can also be at par with the likes of the Ati-atihan and Sinulog festivals.
Selected members of the media and travel bloggers were treated to the hospitality of the people from the North. Bambanti, or scarecrow in Ilocano, highlights the provinces main produce – corn and rice.
BY VIRGINIA ABAD-BERGONIA,
EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPERVISOR, DEPED-CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA
Manila Times - 08 Feb 2018
THE much-famed weeklong Bambanti Festival 2018—named after scarecrows which protect the farms—has been attracting local and foreign tourists, thanks to the Filipino ingenuity in local arts and culture.
Giant scarecrows both amaze and scare in equal measure. At the festival, booths are set up in a village to enjoy the festival’s activities. The festival which started on January 22 and ended on January 27 is aptly referred to as the “mother of all festivals.”
Bambanti mascots are mostly created with colorful straws and grasses wrapped in farmer’s clothing but others used native farm products to depict the scarecrow.
But there is more to the Bambanti festival than just the scarecrows. At the core of the festival is a showcase displaying an array of farm produce, handicraft and other native products, aside from other highlights like include street parades and dances, beauty pageants and a host of fun activities.
Visitors enjoyed ample time getting acquainted with the local culture as they immersed themselves into some of the Philippines’ most amazing cultural traditions and cultural heritage. As a perk, visitors got to share this agricultural abundance, lifestyle, and cuisine with the locals.
Rice is the staple crop in this region, so the festival can be regarded as a tribute to the Bambanti who watch over the fields.
The Bambanti Festival has been adjudged three-time winner of the Aliw awards, bringing home the title of the Best Festival Practices and Performance from 2015 to 2017. The Festival is an annual event for Isabela province.
With the theme “Isabela Kong Mahal” (Isabela, My Beloved Land), this year’s festival depicted the Isabeleños love for the land and their birth through various creative concepts and images, including the Giant Bambanti Showcase, Bambanti Street Dance and Showdown Competition, Musical Street Performances, Search for Bambanti Festival King and Queen, and Isebela’s Master Kusinero Cooking Contest.
Standing tall in the field, scarecrows have been fixed figures used to drive away birds and pests from crops but it was a come-on as spectators were treated with various festive colors, dance performances, loud music and creative costumes which showcase the rich culture of the province.
Given that tourists and residents flock to enjoy the Bambanti Festival, the said annual fun-filled festivities would linger in the next years
