BALANGA CITY—It is all systems go for the Pawikan Festival in Morong town on November 30, the Bataan Tourism Council Foundation announced on Thursday.
Vicky Garcia, chairman of the foundation and chief architect of the festival, said the celebration is focused at the Pawikan Conservation Center in the seaside village of Nagbalayong in Morong, manned by former poachers and turtle egg collectors-turned-conservation advocates. As in every celebration, the ceremonial releasing of day-old marine turtles, or hatchlings, mostly from the Olive Ridley species will highlight the Pawikan Festival 2014.
Three out of five species of marine turtles in the country have Bagac and Morong towns as their nesting places. These are Olive Ridley, Hawksville and Green turtles. More than 62,000 hatchlings have, so far, been released out to the West Philippine Sea since late 1999, when the Pawikan Conservation Program started, records show.
The activity starts with a walk for a cause and Zumba morning exercise, before the opening program at the center and the ceremonial release of hatchlings.
This will be followed by a colorful street dance on the sandy beach to be participated in by delegates from 11 towns and one city.
Street dancers usually are in a pawikan-inspired costume. Other activities for the day include environment fair, mural, body- and boat-painting contests, nature’s camp and beach party.
A quiz bee and sand-sculpture contest await high-school students, paddle-painting contest for elementary pupils and “Pawikan Amazing Race” for college students.