PANGASINAN is not only rich in natural resources, it is also teeming with talented individuals who, together, could showcase a great performance deserving a niche in the world of arts and culture all its own.

Such is the gem that glows out of the fine and classic musicale of Pangasinan orchestras that are all too often tapped to provide entertainment not only in neighboring provinces but even in the big cities.

Pangasinan Orchestra was started by a clan in the small, agricultural town of Basista, now known as the hometown of famous orchestras. In the town’s Barangay Dumpay alone, seven orchestras are always being contracted for fine musical entertainment, especially during big fiestas and other significant occasions.

As recalled by Egbert de Guzman, son of the prominent Don Podring Orchestra, orchestra performance evolved in Pangasinan as a simple way of the farmers of entertaining themselves while harvesting “palay”. As the farmers threshed palay to the beat of the “taltagan,” a boat-like wooden equipment used in pounding rice, they sang folk songs with the accompaniment of improvised instruments, such as ukulele, guitar, flute and drums (the one made of tin can and gasoline containers).

Later, these farmers formed a group to carol from house-to-house during the Christmas season. This practice was called “aligando”. The farmers soon realized that they could earn more money by performing at parades during fiestas using “trompa” (mobile sound system was yet some eons away).

They also soon learned that during the rainy season, they could stage soap opera shows, along with their musical repertoire, to make a living by performing at the US naval yard in Subic, Olongapo City and in Clark Airfield in, Pampanga to entertain the American servicemen..

In the early 50’s, Everlasting Orchestra surfaced with most of its players from the Caranto clan in Basista. Later, Harmony Orchestra and Paradise Orchestra were simultaneously organized by the Caranto brothers Juan and Domingo.

When Harmony Orchestra disbanded, Zisoy (son of Juan Caranto) joined his cousins Joe & Esting Caranto (children of Domingo Caranto). Together, they started the Caranto Brothers Orchestra. They, however, split up later with each of them putting up his own orchestra. Hence, we now have Esting Caranto Orchestra, Joe Caranto & Caranto Brothers Orchestra, and (the revived) Harmony Orchestra (of Zisoy Caranto).

It was in 1988 when Don Podring de Guzman, husband of Priscilla Caranto, a sister of Zisoy Caranto, formed what is now known as Don Podring Orchestra…

To this date, Pangasinan orchestras are standout performers in any barangay or town fiesta as well as at various festivals.

To keep the symphonic orchestra culture alive, five of the province’s top homegrown orchestras will be featured in the first-ever Grand Orchestra Showdown, an event that will add life and color to the pomp and pageantry of Pista’y Dayat 2008.

Dubbed as “Panturugtugan, Pansasayawan, the orchestra showdown will be the biggest assemblage of street orchestras, punctuated by a Dancesport Fest on April 24, 2008 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen.