TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 11
T
he province of Isabela may be among the
last frontiers with lots of breathtaking natural
attractions awaiting to be discovered due to
its somewhat off the beaten track location.
Yet Isabela has also made waves in recent
headlines when its banner festival—
Bambanti—concluded on the last week of
January, earned it a Guinnes Book of World Records title!
Named after the Ilocano word for scarecrow, the
Bambanti Fest pays tribute to this mythical figure, the
human-like figure farmers used to guard their crops from
birds. Being a primarily agricultural province, Isabela
considers the bambanti an important part of its history
and heritage—and as a means of thanksgiving for the
previous year’s harvest.
Bambanti 2019 had its colourful events that range
from agri-ecotourism exhibits and trade fairs, culinary
competitions to exciting street dance and tribal shows.
But what set the record of superlatives was the number
of persons dressed as scarecrows: 2,495, that made them
Credit : Teddy Pelaez
Credit : Teddy Pelaez
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