Hailed the Queen Province of the North, Isabela is raring to show its beauty and achievements to the Filipinos and the rest of the world. That’s why for Bambanti Festival 2024, the largest province in region 2 adapted the tourism tagline, Ettam ngana ta Isabela. The Ybanag phrase for “Tara na sa Isabela” or “Let’s go to Isabela” serves as invitation to visitors to explore, experience, and embrace the charm Isabela.
The annual scarecrow-inspired festival aims to foster unity and camaraderie among the province’s residents, promote and preserve its cultural heritage, and highlight its local products and industries. For 2024, Dy secured a substantial subsidy for mayors who participate in all contested events to incentivize and reward their enthusiastic participation for an amazing P300,000 grant from the Provincial Government of Isabela. Among these competitions are the much-awaited Street Dance and Dance Showdown Competitions, Festival King and Queen, Bambanti Booth, Giant Scarecrow, Search for Queen Isabela 2024, and the Makan ken Mainum Cookfest, among others.
To further encourage participation of all 34 municipalities and three cities, the festival maintained its two categories, Category A for cities and first-class municipalities, and Category B for municipalities from second to fifth class.
Overall champion: Echague
THE BAMBANTI VILLAGE
The festival kicked off with the opening of the Bambanti Village led by the vice governor where the agri-ecotourism booths, giant scarecrows, local agriculture products, and arts were displayed for the public to buy or appreciate.
Bambanti is the Ilocano term for scarecrow, the farmers’ ally for a good harvest. While celebrating the diligence, resilience and vigilance of the Isabela farmers, the festival also pays homage to the guardians of their fields and farms. Thus, the specially-built village fronting the Provincial Capitol, showcases unique, enormous Bambanti figures which are expertly built from indigenous, organic, and biodegradable materials.
Respective booths and scarecrows highlight each town’s cultural heritage and icons ranging from agricultural, environmental, industrial and historical sites. The booths selling farm products and locally created artifacts provide excellent prices for foodies and treasure seekers, serve as a platform for tourists to immerse themselves in Isabela’s historical and cultural legacy, and treat them to an authentic experience into the sustainable and organic practices of the province.
QUEEN ISABELA 𝟮𝟬𝟮4
From the bevy of mostly morena contestants, a towering beauty from the City of Ilagan was hailed Queen Isabela 2024.
More than a beauty contest, Queen Isabela — one of the highlights and highly-anticipated events of the annual Bambanti Festival filling the city’s open auditorium to full capacity — embodies the traits of true Isabeleños beauty. The Queen should be literally beautiful inside and out: intelligent, responsible, and resilient. The presentation is made more memorable as each contestant is escorted by her town’s mayor.
Queen Isabela 2024 and her court is composed of 2nd runner-up — Ms. Cauayan City, 1st runner-up — Ms. Roxas, Queen Isabela Culture and Arts 2024 — Ms. Echague, and Queen Isabela Tourism 2024 — Ms. Sta Maria.
MAKAN KEN MAINUM COMPETITION
A brainchild of Mary Ann Dy, the better half of Vice Gov. Dy, the cooking cum beverage competition aims to highlight the food scene of the province. This year, Isabela’s future generation chefs and baristas took centerstage as they battled it out concocting innovative food (Makan) and drinks (Mainum) using locally grown produce and products. The Gen Z’s 14-25-year-old participants were supported by their equally enthusiastic teachers and mentors cheering them on and giving them last-minute instructions.
BAMBANTI FESTIVAL KING & QUEEN 2024
The candidates for the Isabela Festival King and Queen competition flaunted their symbolic costumes along with larger-than-life props — colorful and with touches of indigenous materials that represented their respective municipality’s local culture and festivals. They also mesmerized the audience as they performed at the Street Dance and Dance Showdown competitions at the Isabela Sports Complex. After a thorough deliberation, Harold Dela Cruz and Herman Timbang (Echague) won the D𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 costumes.
Hailed 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 and Queen for 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕 were the representatives from Quirino while Echague made it for 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗔.
FESTIVAL DANCE COMPETITIONS
Divided into two categories, Street Dance and Dance Showdown, each contingent prepared a street dance routine performed around the sports complex’s oval track and a dance showcase on the stadium’s center stage.
More than just a parade of intricate props and attires by the participating 18 contingents, it was a showcase of amazing Isabela, emphasizing the potential to attract tourists to the province while paying tribute to the rich history and culture of each town represented. And with solid choreographies, clean successions, and fluid storylines, contingents and crowd favorites won the hearts of the judges.
For 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲, Sta. Maria and Jones lorded over other contingents for 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕 and 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗔 respectively. Hailed the best for the 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕 were Sta. Maria and Alicia for 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗔.
For having the number of wins in the various competitions and even topping numerous awards, Echague, the “Queen Town of Isabela,” was proclaimed Bambanti 2024’s grand champion with Quirino as 1st Runner Up; Alicia, 2nd Runner Up; Jones, 3rd Runner Up; and Luna, 4th Runner Up. One million pesos worth of government projects is granted to Echague, while projects valued at P750,000, P500,000, P300,000, and P100,000 is given to the runners-up from second through fifth place, respectively.
BAMBANTI MUSICAL PRODUCTION & GRAND CONCERT
Over 2000 human bambantis dance as the grand musical starring Sparkle artists and Queendom divas Julie Ann, Jessica and Thea, do a merry number.
The much-awaited Bambanti 2024 street dance and dance showdown got further boost with the Bambanti Musical Production with the country’s multi-talented Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose together with fellow Sparkle artists Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, and Jeremiah Tiangco. To complete the musical ensemble were Nic Galano of the City of Ilagan, John Rex of Baguio City and Jake Gacang, the multi-awarded and 5-time Champion of the World for Violin.
The Whiplash Dance Company and the choreographers of different Isabela towns joined in the energetic numbers.
Meanwhile, the boy band The Juans and versatile singer Morisette Amon lord it over at the grand concert held on the last day of the festival on January 27.
The Isabelinos, young and old alike shrieked with laughter as The Juans serenade them with their signature songs Hatid, Di Tayo Pwede and Di Mo Na Ako Kailangan. Likewise, they were amazed with the ‘birit’ songs of Morisette and felt relieved with revival songs ‘Mahal Naman Kita’ at ‘Huling El Bimbo.’
Both musical shows ended with grand fireworks display that could rival international competitions! What a way to celebrate!
Ettam ngana ta Isabela!
