CANDABA, Pampanga – Nearly 10,000 local and foreign tourists, including well-known political leaders in the country, flocked to this municipality on Friday to witness the two-day celebration of 3rd annual “Ibon-Ebon” (birds and eggs) festival.

Vice President Noli de Castro led the formal ceremonial opening of the Ibon-Ebon festivity here.

The wetlands of Candaba Swamp is known as a sanctuary of at least 14,000 registered migratory birds in the 2010 Asian census, consisting of at least 40 species.

The Candaba Swamp, one of the country’s main tourist attractions, serves as the birds’ home and stop-over point as they migrate from point to point in Asia and other parts of the globe.

The 3rd celebration showcased winged creatures and this town’s egg industry, including its aquaculture sector as well as the wildlife bird sanctuary here.

The two-day festival, which culminated Saturday, also featured bird dance presentations from three Candaba schools, and an original, all Candabeño drummers and performers; kite-flying contests, cook fests, exhibits, and a host of activities promoting bird culture and environmental protection.

The Ibon-Ebon Festival has also proven to be not just a showcase of more than 40 species of birds and tons of eggs laid, but a reunion of families and balikbayans from abroad, Mayor Jerry Pelayo said.

“Marami ang umuwi mula sa United States at iba’t-ibang bansa para personal na saksihan ang nagaganap na Ibon-Ebon Festival na kanilang napapanood sa television at nababasa sa mga pahayagan, tatlong taon na mula ngayon.”

Also featured in the festival is the exhibition of ultra light and remote controlled (RC) planes, and boat race – karera ng bangka.