No world record break but grand street party proceeds
DAGUPAN is all set to stage the world renowned “Kalutan ed Dagupan,” the country’s only Guinness World Record holder for longest barbecue, on April 30, starting at 5:30 pm in the city’s main thoroughfare.

Half a million people are expected to take part again in this culminating activity of the Bangus Festival.

Twelve concert stages will be set up to accommodate a host of celebrities and popular bands who will perform in the entire stretch of the barbecue party.

According to Councilor Nick Aquino, Bangus Festival 2006 chairman, the kalutan is a street merrymaking where people can watch various well known performers in one stretch while grilling the “tastiest milkfish in the world,” during the barbecue party.

Some of the guest celebrities to perform live include Francis M., Masculados, Blakdyak, Imago band and some Pinoy Big Brother housemates and other celebrity performers courtesy of the festival’s sponsors.

To rev up the Kalutan party, the grand champion of Dinagyan Festival Ati-Atihan contest, accompanied by the top three winners of the Gilon! Gilon! Street Dancing will strut their winning dance steps along the streets.

Aside from national government officials, other delegates from Zamboanga City, Mangaldan, Manaoag, San Fabian and San Jacinto will join Mayor Benjie Lim, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez and city officials in the breath-taking event.

As early as three days before the event, the organizers, led by event chairman Alex Siapno, will start setting up the makeshift stages along the downtown area.

“This year’s “kalutan” focuses more on having a great fun by enjoying varied music and feasting on a huge buffet of succulent Dagupan bangus. We are not after the record anymore since we still hold the Guinness title of Longest Barbecue in the World, “ Siapno bared.

The organizers are only targeting 300 pieces of grill pads measuring 2 meters each but “we have been receiving insistent demands from interested participants so we are set to increase the number of grills,” Siapno said.

The 12 stages and their sponsors are: stage 1 -San Miguel, stage 2- ABS-CBN, stage 3 – Smart, Stage 4- I fm, stage 5 –Globe, stage 6 –Coun. Michael Fernandez, stage 7 –GMA 7, stage 8 –Smart, stage 9 –Bombo Radyo and Magic Group of Companies, stage 10 –Globe, stage 11 –Coca-Cola and stage 12 –Bangus Festival Executive Committeee. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)