The culmination of the month-long Dagupan City Bangus Festival is the Kalutan ed Dagupan last April 30, 2006. It is dubbed as "Bangus Sa Lansangan", a reunion of sorts of the more than a kilometer long Guinness record for the Longest Grill along A.B. Fernandez Avenue. Though this year’s "Kalutan ed Dagupan was not staged to beat the existing record held by the city, the revelry and sumptuous grilled bangus continued to wow the crowd.

The event started with the lighting of the grills but this time they did it by stations. Then came the street dancers. The local group simulated the Gilon! Gilon! (harvesting of bangus) in a spectacular dance repertoire. Guest dancers from the Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan Festival also came and entertained the spectators who were left in awe and amusement. The day (until the wee hours of the morning) was capped by concerts in 8 stages along the avenue. Performers included Brownman Revival, Francis M, Itchyworms, Hale, local bands and other performers I could not remember.

I only had my old Nokia 3660 with me so the pictures that I took were not good. The digital camera that I’m expecting to have will arrive on the 15^th of May. I hope it would be a good one.

I also hope and fervently wish that the just concluded festivities will translate into present and future actual revenues for the city that is the proud home of the "World’s Tastiest Milkfish." (and for not the politicians with gargantuan tarpaulins- Oh it’s an election year on 2007!)

I have watched two MVPs carry their respective teams to victory today.

And both showed two different leadership styles.

I am talking about Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Both came straight from high school before entering the NBA. Both are scoring leaders in their own right.

Lebron James, the naillbiting phenom who is probably the best all-around two guard literally carried his team to 97-96 victory against the prolific scorer Gilbert Arenas-led Washington Wizards. He scored his 50^th 30 plus game amidst the stingy and double teaming defense. His team was down by one point with 23.4 seconds to go when he struggled to put up a shot, first eluding his guard then pump faking an off the glass shot against the shot-blocking Michael Ruffin. This is after all the criticisms that Lebron was incapable of taking charge in late game and nerve wracking situations. The Cavaliers capped the win by withstanding a trifecta attempt by Gilbert Arenas that went pfft in the dying seconds. Now the Cavaliers are up 2-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

In another game, the oft-misunderstood Kobe Bryant helped eke out a win against the high octane offense Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Bryant this year’s scoring leader who is perceived as a cocky, ballhog and selfish player, did what was unexpected of him- trust his teammates. This probably caught the opposing team off guard as they expected an 81 points scoring Bryant. Instead, they faced a Magic Johnson-like team leader who trusted his team and help will the team to wins. It wasn’t a usual scoring night but he did show his multi-faceted game of assists, rebounds and steals.

Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Two MVPs in their own right. Two leaders. One for taking the responsibility and the strong will to win for the betterment of the team. The other for being a trusting and encouraging team leader who shunned one-upmanship and had no qualms doing the "dirty work" all in the name of the team and the win.

They may not emerge as NBA season MVPs or even win the NBA crown but both earned a lot of people’s respect (like mine) unlike the heckler who ruined a graduation ceremony.

Dagupan Bangus Festival 2006: Updated Schedule

As of April 27, 2006

April 1-30-May 1-2, 2006

Whole Day

TRADE FAIR

Jovellanos St.

April 25 - May 8

TRADE, LIVELIHOOD, TOURISM, EDUCATION, LIVELIHOOD, TOURISM, EDUCATION, REAL ESTATE AND EMPLOYMENT SHOW/ EXPO

Malimgas Market

April 27 - Thursday

Whole Day

GLOBE DAY - CONCERT

City Plaza

8:00AM

FINALS & AWARDING : BANGUS AMAZING RACE

City Plaza

3:00PM

OPENING OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL

City Plaza

7:00PM

BANGUS FEST KING AND QUEEN FINALS

In front of Dagupan City Museum

DAGUPAN'S BEST

Malimgas Market

April 28 - Friday

Whole Day

SMART DAY - CONCERT

City Plaza

8:00AM

BANGUS RODEO featuring LUMBAY BETEL

Malimgas Market

3:00PM

CHAMPIONSHIP: BATTLE OF THE 3RD KIND

In front of Dagupan City Museum

7:00PM

THE BIG HIPHOP BOUNCE RAVE PARTY

Perez Blvd.

7:00PM

CONCERT AT MALIMGAS MARKET

Malimgas Market

April 29 - Saturday

8:00AM

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

City Plaza

3:00PM

GILON! GILON! STREET DANCING/

BANGUS ED KAROSA/

STAR FM-TRIBU BOMBO-STAGE PERFORMER

City Wide

7:00PM

SINGING CONTEST

Astrodome

9:00AM

MEDICAL OUTREACH

Astrodome

April 30 - Sunday

8:00AM

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

City Plaza

4:30PM

KALUTAN ED DAGUPAN-"BANGUS SA LANSANGAN"

Café Du Marc-Amado

May 1 - Monday

7:00AM

FLUVIAL PARADE

Pantal - Tondaligan Beach

9:00AM

PISASALAMAT

Mayor's Shed Tondaligan Beach

9:00AM

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Tondaligan Beach

10:00AM

PALARO SA DAGAT

Tondaligan Beach

SAND SCULPTOR PARK COMPETITION

Tondaligan Beach

BANGUS IN THE SKY

Tondaligan Beach

7:00PM

ROCK THE BEACH CONCERT

Amphi Theater