HUNDREDS of overseas Dagupenos, including those from other places in the country have arrived here to join in the city’s major tourist come-on. “Pawil Dagupan” slated on December 30 as one of the culminating activities of the month-long city fiesta.

Lawyer Manny Aoanan, event chair person, said all of the arrivals are now spending their Christmas with their respective loved ones and relatives in the city or elsewhere in Pangasinan.

More of them however are still coming between now and next week, announced Aoanan who added that if the returning Dagupeños are coming at the same time there may be a need to fetch them from the airport upon their request.

He told newsmen that majority of those joining “Pawil Dagupan” will be coming from United States, representing different associations of Dagupeños.

The rest are coming from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Aoanan said members and officers of associations of Dagupeños were personally contacted by Councilor Alfie Fernandez, hermano mayor of the city fiesta and his assistant hermano mayor Councilor Jesus Canto, when they were in the U.S. last November.

Los Angeles-based Dagupeño Rex Catubig took charge of reaching out to other overseas Dagupeños in the U.S., Aoanan said.

“Pawil Dagupan” was started by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. but when he was appointed as local government undersecretary and immigration commissioner, the program suffered a hiatus for six years.