January 29, 2014 (updated)

http://www.mb.com.ph/isabela-marks-2014-bambanti-festival/


Ilagan City, Isabela - One of the highlights of this year's celebration of the Bambanti (scarecrow) Festival is the opening yesterday of the Bambanti Village, and the agri-eco tourism and trade exhibit at the Capitol Compound's Isabela Sports Complex.

Governor Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, and Vice Governor Antonio Albano led the opening of the Bambanti Village that showcases the various products of the 37 municipalities, and three cities, while colorful scarecrows were also added as attraction.

 

 

SCARECROW FESTIVAL - A scarecrow made out of abaca from the town of Aurora in Isabela is one of the attractions at the opening of the Agro-Eco Tourism and Trade Exhibit in connection with the 17th Bambanti Festival. (Rizaldy Comanda) Also included in this year's festival is the presentation of agri-ecotourism and trade products that are indigenous to each participating town, and three cities of the province.

Local officials said the annual celebration of the Bambanti Festival is a sign of thanksgiving of the province of Isabela, dubbed an agricultural capital of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, provincial information officer Jess Geronimo said the province of Isabela is the number 1 producer of corn, and number 2 in rice in the entire country. Popularly known as the Bambanti Festival, the event presents the province as an agri-tourism, trade, and investment destination for both local and international tourists and investors.

The very first global exposition of the province of Isabela as the Philippine representative in the China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning China last September 2013 has given us a good take-off ground to launch the province in the international market.

Hence, the Bambanti Festival 2014 has for its theme "Flying High."