Lakbay Norte 3 in Dagupan City: Bangus Harvest and Dawel River Cruise

Last January, North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) conducted the Lakbay Norte 3 Tour. It aims to familiarize the media (traditional and online) as it aims to “Rediscover the North”. Let’s be honest here: Most Filipino tourists would rather take a plane trip to Southern Destinations than endure the long bus rides to explore the Northern part of the Philippines.

The whole trip lasted for nine long days of fun, food and adventure. Am I officially part of it? The answer is NO, but I got the opportunity to join the the morning activity of Day 6 as the group passed by Dagupan City to witness the Bangus Harvest and at the same time try the Dawel River Cruise.

Call it good timing, I went to Dagupan City with my grandfather a few days before LakbayNorte3’s Pangasinan leg. I went to the docking area and Ms. Rose Mejia recognized me. I thought she wouldn’t let me join the tour. She asked if the bloggers in the team are my friends. I said yes. I smiled when she gave me the go-signal to hop in.

The LakbayNorte3 bus (with the design specially customized for the tour by Victory Liner) arrived and I got excited upon seeing my travel blogger friends. Except Ivan, Karlo and James, it was the first time of Angel, Edcel, Gael, Kara, Christian, and Marcos to visit Dagupan City.

The Dawel River Cruise just started operating last year with the goal to clean the rivers of Dagupan City. My hometown’s Tourism Office don’t deny the fact that the set-up was inspired by Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise. It’s my third time to try the Dawel River Cruise and it gets better every time! There are no floating restaurants and videoke machines yet. This is one peaceful and relaxing cruise.

Although I am from Dagupan City, I never really witnessed a Bangus Harvest activity. It was my first time to witness one. I am proud to say that Dagupan City produces the best Milkfish.

Fascinated with the Bangus Harvest activity, Edcel even volunteered and participated in the Bangus Harvest activity. I’ll be posting a short video soon!

Edcel’s enthusiasm is so contagious that even Mrs. Mejia noticed it and wants to adopt him. May alternative career ka na! 😛

Dagupan Tourism also gave us a little background on the Mangroves found in Dagupan City. The male travel bloggers even recorded a short dance video while planting LOL

A trip to Dagupan City is never complete without eating Bangus. Eto na ang Bangus Party while on a River Cruise!

Thank you so much to Dagupan City Tourism office for letting me join the Dagupan leg of Lakbay Norte 3! I’m glad that we have a new tourist attraction =) Dawel River Cruise is Free of Charge. Just contact the Dagupan Tourism Office if you want to try it especially this coming summer season!

By April, my beloved Dagupan City will be celebrating the yearly Bangus Festival 2012. For the complete schedule, you can refer to this link. I suggest that you ‘like’ the What’s Up Dagupan? Facebook page for the latest news and updates. I am planning to write a guide for visitors soon so stay tuned!