The whole populace of Pandan town is now readying themselves for the 13th Dinahit Festival at the Pandan Seashore Park beginning Monday, April 17, 2006.

To be celebrated for three days, the festival focuses on "dinahit," which is the local term for a wind-driven banca with colorful sail, similar to the "vintas" seen on the seas of Mindanao, that is still used by many marginal fishermen in the province.

This year’s festival, which has the theme "Kadagatan, Ingatan Para Sa Kauswagan nin Banwaan," will be graced during the opening rites by Catanduanes provincial tourism officer Carmel Bonifacio-Garcia.

Activities lined up by organizers include a costume parade, street dance, agro-fishery fair, trainings for fishery law enforcement and fish processing, plus the usual parlor games and contests. Festival chair Allen Isorena of the Municipal Agriculture Office will have amply support from government agencies in the municipality as well as fishermen and town folks.

In an interview, Pandan Mayor Eulalia V. Verceles disclosed that the annual holding of the "Dinahit" has paid off with the recent release of P6.2 million by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) for the improvement of the seashore park where the festival is held year after year.

To be implemented in three phases, the project consists of the construction of a pavilion and four cottages, each complete with home amenities such as a balcony, sala, bedroom and kitchen, Mayor Verceles revealed. She added that the pavilion, which will have a canteen, will be able to accommodate huge gatherings like seminars, conferences, wedding receptions and birthday parties.

The "Dinahit" Festival won recognition regionwide as a festival for Catanduanes when it was invited as the sole contingent of the province to the 1997 Bikol Arts Festival in Legazpi City to showcase its "dinahit" dance. It was also asked to perform and represent Catanduanes during the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2002 in Naga City. (REIBAL)