Residents and tourists flocked to Dagupan City for “Bangusine 2026,” a food showcase highlighting creative milkfish dishes as part of the annual Bangus Festival.

Held at the city plaza, the event featured the “Bangus Streetfood Experience,” where visitors sampled a wide range of innovative bangus-based dishes prepared by local vendors and student groups.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said the activity aims to celebrate local identity and support small entrepreneurs.

“The Bangus Streetfood Experience is about celebrating our identity as Dagupeños. It is about giving our local vendors and entrepreneurs a place to shine,” Fernandez said.

Seven student groups joined this year’s cooking competition, presenting dishes inspired by different regions in the Philippines but centered on Dagupan’s main product, bangus.

Among the featured creations were bangus piaya-calamay from Central Visayas, bangus inasal con lechon from Western Visayas, and bangus kwek-kwek inspired by Central Luzon street food.

Participant John Mark Magpayo said their group reimagined Ilocos dishes using bangus. “In-elevate po namin ‘yung bangus po and region po ng Ilocos… ginawa po naming tacos ‘yung empanada, parang naging open face po siya,” he said.

Event chairperson Councilor Danee Canto said the competition aligns with the celebration of Filipino Food Month.

“Ngayong month kasi is Filipino Food Month. Sakto Philippines ‘yung theme tas per region ‘yung ginawa naming contest… with the main product ng Dagupan, ang bangus,” she said.

Organizers said the Bangusine event also aims to encourage local food innovators to experiment with bangus dishes and expand its market potential.