LINGAYEN- - The celebration of Pistay Dayat which used to be perceived as a mere Lingayen activity has been repackaged as a provincial summer spectacle with a host of new and meaningful events for all ages to enjoy and cherish, according to the organizers.

Re-branded as Pangasinan Pistay Dayat, the annual sea festival kicks off with a blast of sights and sounds on April 24 with the staging of the country’s first Grand Orchestra Showdown featuring top homegrown street orchestras.

The Pangasinan Pistay Dayat 2008, which centers on the theme: “Aliguas tan Limgas, Intaduro Lawas,” is headed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. as Honorary Chairman and provincial administrator Rafael F. Baraan as Executive Chairman.

The orchestra showdown is highlighted by a simultaneous production number of the five orchestras, the individual musical repertoire per orchestra and the large ballroom dancing of the people of Pangasinan and their visitors till the wee hours of the morning.

To be interspersed with the orchestra showdown is a Dancesport competition by both amateur and professional ballroom dancers.

The following day, the first Tourism and Trade Expo featuring the best products of every town and cities in Pangasinan opens at 10:30 in the morning. Every LGU in the province, along with Small and Medium Enterprises and Special Interest Groups will showcase their best and latest products and services.

In the evening of the same day, a vocal solo competition will be held at the beachfront dubbed “Kansionan Diad Guilig na Dayat.” Participants are selected per congressional district of Pangasinan.

On April 26, the unique performance arts of Pangasinan takes center stage such as Turbaan, Zarzuela and other fun-filled musical shows delivered in pure Pangasinan dialect by original Pangasinan singers. In partnership with the Federation of Senior Citizens and War Veterans, the event expects big crowd.

The following day, April 27, at 8 in the morning, a triathlon event called “Lumbay Langoy, Bisikleta tan Batik” will be held to test the limits, speed and stamina of Pangasinan athletes and visitors along the breathtaking coastline of Pangasinan.

At night, the expanded Limgas Na Dayat, now called Limgas na Pangasinan, will show the talents of the beauty pageant participants from various towns and cities of Pangasinan during the Limgas Talent Night.

From April 29-May 1, adventurous but family-oriented families can join the Family Camp to be established at the beachfront of Lingayen. Family activities from morning to evening capped by bonfires will be held.

On the same schedule, all Sangguniang Kabataan officials from provincial to municipal/city levels will stage their own Youth Camp as they are clustered on the same beach. The youth camp will also provide the campers leadership training and discuss

Pangasinan history and environmental issues. At night, the young leaders will enjoy simultaneous campfires by the sea.

On April 29, the most acclaimed choir in Asia, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will perform at the Lingayen Beach dubbed: “Say Dayat Tan Musika” to show why they are one of the best choirs in the world.

The morning after, a beach volleyball competition will be held featuring college volleyball players in Pangasinan. Dubbed “Beach Volley Belles,” the event will feature young lady players clad in beach volleyball attire.

In the evening of April 30, the grand finals of the Konsyerto sa Gulpo rock band competition will be staged coinciding with the “Liket tan Gayaga’d Dayat,” or beach party. Participated by all SK officials from provincial to barangay levels, the event will also have guest bands to highlight the event. Preliminaries of the band competition are scheduled on April 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19.

On the final day of Pangasinan Pistay Dayat on May 1, the array of activities include Panangidayew tan Pisasalamat (mass offering) at 7:30 o’clock in the morning; launching and covenant signing of the search for the cleanest municipality; Banda Parada of the famous Drum and Bugle Corps in Pangasinan; Kapamilya Variety Show of ABS-CBN; the finals of the PMA Masigasig Class ’72 Governor’s Cup Shootfest; and finally, the holding of the Limgas Na Pangasinan Pageant and Coronation Night.

The following day, Pistay Dayat tapers off with with “Dayat Ko, Linisan Ko,” at 6 in the morning. (PIO)