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| Newly crowned queens of Isabela from left, 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Cherry Lee Garlijo from the municipality of Alicia, Queen Isabela Culture and the Arts: Ms. Johanna Trisha C. Cinco from the municipality of Ramon, Queen Isabela 2023: Ms. Catherine Joy L. Legaspi from the municipality of San Manuel, Queen Isabela Tourism: Ms. Julie Mae Villanueva from the City of Cauayan. and 1st Runner-Up: Ms. Jaycel Lumauig representing the Indigenous Peoples Community. Photo by Teddy Pelaez |
Bambanti, which means "scarecrow", is now synonymous to festival for Isabelinos, as they celebrate the harvest of their staple agricultural products, which is rice and corn. The bambantis are revered by the locals for protecting their crops from unwanted feathered-creatures who swoop down and devour miles of corn in the Province of Isabela, which is also dubbed the Corn Capital of the Philippines.
With the theme, "Isabela, Pagharap Sa Bagong Hamon Ng Kinabukasan", the festival signals the start of a "new future" , motivating Isabelinos to overcome challenges in an environment that has uncertainties in terms of economic growth, thus everyone should strengthen their socio-cultural development, and progress shall follow.
Giant Bambanti Showcase
A province-wide "Search for the Best Giant Bambanti" was participated by all the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Province of Isabela. Each official entry epitomized the character of the place and people it represents. This include their local culture, history, trade, industry, and physical environment. The Isabela Provincial Capitol Compound was transformed into a colorful Bambanti Village.
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| Municipality of Luna uses rattan for their giant mermaid. |
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| 3rd Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A goes to the Municipality of Divilacan. |
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| Corn husks and banig are the main materials of this 2nd Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A from the Municipality of Alicia. |
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| This fish-studded (sap-sap) giant is the 1st Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A from the Municipality of Dinapigue. |
Queen Isabela Coronation Night
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| Newly crowned queens of Isabela from left, 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Cherry Lee Garlijo from the municipality of Alicia, Queen Isabela Culture and the Arts: Ms. Johanna Trisha C. Cinco from the municipality of Ramon, Queen Isabela 2023: Ms. Catherine Joy L. Legaspi from the municipality of San Manuel, Queen Isabela Tourism: Ms. Julie Mae Villanueva from the City of Cauayan. and 1st Runner-Up: Ms. Jaycel Lumauig representing the Indigenous Peoples Community. |
Stunning candidates representing their Municipalities and Cities paraded on stage wearing queenly gowns which will make Miss Universe pagaents a run for their money.
The annual search for the beauteous and intelligent Isabelena is a major event in every Bambanti Festival. The search also features very artistic creations of the various local designers interpreting Queen Isabela II of Spain, who are vying for the Best Creative Attire.
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| Spectacular staging of the Queen Isabela 2023 Coronation Night. |
Thirty candidates, who are already queens in their own rights were trimmed down to top 10, then top five, and ultimately the announcement of the top three winners who took home the crown with the titles Queen Isabela, Isabela Queen Tourism, and Isabela Queen Culture and the Arts.
The Bambanti Festival 2023 will definitely continue with a different perspective, inspiring every Isabelino to use his creativity and recognize his heritage through various arts, cultural, and even culinary activities.
For the full list of festival winners, see related article here.
