LINGAYEN –A huge crowd of some 10,000 converged at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) Stadium here on opening day of the Pista’y Dayat, April 24, to watch the province’s top orchestras and agile dancers show their wares in the first Grand Orchestra Showdown and Latin Dance Competition.

A downpour before the event failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd of mostly native romantic music lovers and dance enthusiasts of all ages.

The event satisfied the crowd’s thirst for a new and unique entertainment that has hardly been given the proper promotion before in any Pangasinan festivity, the organizers said.

angasinenses and visitors gave a standing ovation to the all-star cast orchestras when they played together a grand production number singing altogether Pangasinan classic “Malinak Lay Labi” followed by the danceable beat of “Bongga Ka, Day.”

The two-song grand production number was followed by each orchestra playing its best repertoire of music and dances.
Afterward, the four orchestras again performed simultaneously for the grand finale singing and dancing to the beat of “Magandang Gabi sa Inyong Lahat.”

In his welcome remarks, Governor Amado T. Espino announced to the people that not less than ten orchestras are expected to perform in next year’s holding of a grander and bigger Orchestra Showdown.

The four participating orchestras were EC Jammers of Sison, Lina Abuan Orchestra of Villasis, Rod Palaganas Orchestra of Calasiao, and Caranto Brothers Orchestra of Basista. The four received awards of recognition conferred by the provincial government.

The event organizers expressed their gratitude to the Orchestra Sponsors, namely; Cong. Mark Cojuangco, Mayor Jonas Castaneda, Engr. Rosendo So and Engr. Fidel Ginez.

The showdown was the first in Philippine history, a big step to push the province to claim the title as the Fiesta Orchestra Capital of the country, the organizers said. (Edna A. Aguado/PIO)