ASEAN@50 joins Bangus Festival in Dagupan

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/411493949020/asean-50-joins-bangus-festival-in-dagupan-
• Friday, May 5, 2017

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO (JNPD/VHS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 5 (PIA) - The grand Bangus Festival in this city had a new attraction this year with the inclusion of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) projects in two festival activities.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the information arm of the government directly under the umbrella of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), has been tapped to be one of the offices to help advocate the importance of the ASEAN.

As our country plays host to ASEAN 2017 that coincided with the association’s 50th anniversary, the PIA deemed it proper to incorporate it in the grandest festival in Dagupan.

“We would want to incorporate an ASEAN float in the parade and a kiosk in the street party to promote and create greater awareness with a high impact among the public. This will be a first in the history of Bangus Festival and a first for PIA,” said Regional Director Jennilyne Role of PIA.

Mayor Belen Fernandez warmly welcomed the inclusion of the ASEAN Float in the Festivals of the North held on April 28 and the ASEAN Mobile Kiosk in the Bangusan Street Party on April 30 saying it is the first time that the international association will be joining the grand party in Dagupan.

Executive Chairman Epee Rafanan said the Bangus Fest committee approved the ASEAN participation to the festival.

The ASEAN Float paraded in a mini truck bedecked with flowers and balloons. The front area featured the ASEAN emblem while the left and right sides of the truck bore the logo “ASEAN 50 PHILIPPINES, Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”.

The ASEAN flag as well as the flags of the 10 member nations were prominently displayed in the inner portion of the float. A sound system also echoed the ASEAN Hymn during the parade.

On April 30, the ASEAN mobile kiosk was prepositioned at the entrance of the Bangusan Street Party along the four-kilometer stretch of the Jose de Venecia Expressway. The kiosk comprised of a rack with information materials on ASEAN, a huge television set that played ASEAN videos, and a standee of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The Bangusan Street party, which was adjudged as the biggest street party in 2010, featured 20 live bands from Manila and other parts of the country and drew an estimated one million revelers this year.

Meanwhile, simultaneous with the Bangus Festival, the Philippines played host to the 30th ASEAN Summit held in Pasay City where the leaders of the nine other member states came to the country to forge mutual agreements on various programs and policies.