Festive air pervades Balanga City

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Barely less than two weeks before the feast day in veneration of St. Joseph, the festive mode is already felt in every nook and corner of this city with the staging of the month-long colorful and noble activities for the Pistang Balangueno 2015 initiated by City Mayor Joet Garcia and Vice Mayor Noel Valdecanas.

The city opened its Banga Food Festival with a One Town One Product (OTOP) Trade Fair, cooking contest, and cultural dancing at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga on Thursday.

The other day, Garcia and Valdecanas led the awarding of the prestigious Amang Balangueno with Congressman Tet Garcia, the father of the city mayor, belonging to the batch of awardees this year. The congressman is also the father of Gov. Abet Garcia and Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia. The city mayor explained that the annual giving of said award to outstanding fathers in the city serves as inspiration for other heads of the family to strive hard in building a good family.

The annual feast’s theme for this year is “Biyaya ng Pinagmulan, Tatak ng Pagkakakilanlan”. Aside from the Banga Food Festival, highlights of the festivities are Parade of Floats and Street Dancing, April 20; Dangal Balangueno on April 24; Mutya ng Lungsod ng Balanga Coronation Night, April 25; and Plaza Hotel Night Gabi ng Kasiyahan, April 26. The following fiesta related activities were already held: Risho Kosei-Kai Cultural Night; start of Bataan Trade Fair; Re-enactment of Surrender of Bataan; Senior Citizens Night; and Ginang Balangueno.

Other scheduled activities are Takbo Balanga and Smart Dance Contest on April 18; Gabi ng Ocampo’s Metromall, April 23; La Torre and Serenata, April 27; and El Gamma Penumbra Cultural Night, April 29.

Described as world-class, the Garcia-Valdecanas tandem is credited for initiating award-winning government best practices in the city and efficient delivery of services to city folks.