Student representatives from different public secondary schools in Navotas showcase their talents in street dance representing the city’s rich fishing culture. (Photo by: Gelaine Gutierrez/PIA-NCR)
Navotas City takes great pride in its rich fishing culture for having the largest and busiest fishing industry in the Philippines.
The thriving industrial landscape of fishing in Navotas not only contributes to the local economy but also to the world’s aquaculture sector as it maintains the third largest fish port in Asia and the largest in Southeast Asia.
Did you know that approximately 70 percent of the city’s population is engaged in livelihood activities related to fishing?
Their contribution to the fisheries production that makes Navotas a culturally important fishing community is being celebrated in the annual Pangisdaan Festival.
A festival of stories surrounding the fishing communities
Pangisdaan has a direct translation that means “fishery” which makes Pangisdaan Festival a special occasion to celebrate the gains of the city’s fishing industry and the vital role of fisherfolk in the sustainable management of aquatic resources.
The Pangisdaan Festival was first held in 2002, coinciding with the commemoration of the city’s founding anniversary every January. The conduct of the festival is central to the identity of Navotas City, said Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
“Napaka-importante po ng ginagawa natin taon-taon itong Pangisdaan Festival na pinapakita po natin ‘yung tradisyon at kasaysayan po natin at kung sino po talaga ang mga Navoteño at ano ‘yung Navotas,” Tiangco explained.
(The Pangisdaan Festival that we hold annually is very important because it showcases our tradition and history and the identity of Navoteños and Navotas City as a whole.)
To ensure that the history of Navotas as a fishing community will transcend generations, the city government actively involves the youth in the celebration of Pangisdaan.
“Napaka-importante na ipakita po natin through the talents ng mga kabataan po natin ‘yung nangyari noong nakalipas at malaman po nila kung saan nanggaling ang kanilang pamilya at ‘yung kasaysayan ng kanilang lugar,” the local chief executive added.
(It is very important that we showcase our story through the talents of our youth in order for them to understand the past that defines the history of their families and city.)
Pangisdaan brings together youth from the different public schools in the city in telling the stories of the fishing communities through a colorful street dance competition.
Grade 12 student Jay Garcia from the Tanza National High School (TzNHS) resonated with the city government in facilitating meaningful youth engagement to preserve the culture of fisherfolk communities.
“Pinaghahalubi-halubilo nito ang mga kabataan and also ‘yung mga mamamayan ng Navotas sa isang pagkakaisa. Nagtutulong-tulong ang bawat Navoteño para paunlarin pa lalo ang aming lungsod tulad nitong event na nakakatulong para ipamalas pa ang galing ng mga Navoteño,” said Garcia.
(This brings together the youth and also the residents of Navotas in unity. Navoteños help the development of the city, like this event, which aids in the promotion of what Navotas has to offer.)
Pangisdaan Festival 2025
More than 500 students from the five (5) participating public secondary schools in Navotas gathered for the 2025 Pangisdaan Festival in line with the city’s 119th founding anniversary.
Their vibrant performances centered on the representation of the city’s local history, culture, and tradition, particularly the fish trading activities to symbolize the bountiful harvest of fishermen.
Anchored on the theme “Nav Level Up” or “Navotas Level Up,” the dance routines of students also showcased the city’s progress through the implementation of development projects that cater to the needs of residents in terms of livelihood, social welfare, healthcare, and education, among others.
The winners for this year’s Pangisdaan Festival will receive cash awards from P50,000 to P200,000 which they can allocate for educational programs in their respective schools.
Tangos National High School was hailed Grand Champion of the Street Dance Competition followed by San Roque National High School at 1st runner-up and Tanza National High School at 2nd runner-up.
The remaining participating schools, Angeles National High School and Bangkulasi Senior High School and San Rafael Technological and Vocational High School, received consolation prizes and special awards.
The Pangisdaan Festival is just one of the many activities that the local government laid out for the commemoration of its 119th founding anniversary towards promoting the identity of Navotas as the ‘Fishing Capital of the Philippines.’ (JMP/PIA-NCR)
