Loud drums, vibrant costumes, and proud cheers filled the air as towns across Pangasinan came together for the much-awaited Pistay Dayat festival.
Street dance groups wore bright costumes and showed off props on the Capitol grounds in Lingayen. They moved in sync with the beat of the drums and cheered on the crowd with every step.
“Sobrang ganda syempre, kasi nag-feature tayo ng performances ng ibat-ibang bayan,” Dianne Macaraeg, a spectator, said.
Malou Elduayan, the cultural affairs head, said the event aims to share the best of Pangasinan’s heritage.
“We invited six groups [from different] LGU[s], kasama natin ang Infanta, Anda, Mabini, Alaminos City, San Carlos City, at Lingayen, featuring their festival dances to represent iyong ganda at galing ng Pangasinan,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pangasinan rescue teams stood by at Lingayen Beach, ready for the afternoon crowd.
Boat crews trained on rubber rafts as only a few early birds made their way to the shore by 11 a.m.
In Binmaley, families arrived early to cool off in bigger numbers.
They said the holiday was the perfect chance to beat the heat and enjoy the sea.
Over in Dagupan City, Divine Concrenio and her child joined the fun at Tondaligan Beach. She wanted to mark a special day with sand and surf.
“Para i-celebrate yung 1st birthday ng anak ko,” she said.
Moments later, a beachgoer raised the alarm when his five-year-old nephew went missing.
“Akala namin sumama sa kuya niya. 'Yun nga lang yung kuya niya, pinauwi niya... 'yung bata hindi niya alam [kung saan] 'yung babalikan niyang cottage,” Jericho Laguindin, a family friend, said.
Authorities and volunteers scoured the sand for about thirty minutes, then found the child just a few meters from their cottage.
Laguindin thanked everyone who helped.
“Thank you so much sa mga tumulong... at sa mga lifeguard,” he said.
Chief Lifeguard Ella Oribello reminded parents to mark beach landmarks with their children.
“Kung nakikita niyo, may number yung shed... i-orient yung mga bata na tandaan yung shed number,” she said.
