STO. TOMAS, Batangas -- Town officials here have announced on Saturday the staging of the “Mahaguyog Festival” this year, which will highlight the town’s 353rd Foundation Day celebration from February 26 to March 7.
Mayor Edna P. Sanchez said the opening salvo on Feb. 26 will be an extension of the long weekend holiday to showcase agricultural products, which provided inspiration to the “Mahaguyog Festival”.
Sanchez said “Mahaguyog”, which is now on its 10th year, is a contraction of the syllables of the Filipino words mais (corn), halaman (plants), gulay (vegetable) and niyog (coconut), which are the town’s leading and bountiful farm produce.
She said the grand foundation celebration is preceded by a weeklong series of festivities that showcase the competence, skills and talents of the “Tomasino” (as the town constituents are called).
“Ang Sto. Tomas ay isa sa mga pinakaunang bayan ng Lalawigan ng Batangas na itinatag noong taong 1666 (Sto. Tomas is one of the early towns established in Batangas province in 1666),” shared Sanchez, adding the great strides and accomplishments that made the town as among the country’s richest municipalities in terms of income generation from investments and developments.
The festival will be spiced up with the colorful and fun-filled “Mardi-Gras” or “street-dancing”, drawing revelry participants from various schools here on March 2.
The usual festive atmosphere is also highlighted by the “Miss Sto. Tomas 2019” beauty and personality pageants on March 5 and the exciting “Musical Variety Show” on Foundation Day on March 7.
The series of activities also include the launching of the “E-Puso on Wheels” on February 27 as the local government brings services closer to the barangays; and “Agri-Exhibit and Trade Fair” on February 28.
Sanchez said the local government organizers have especially set aside a celebration led by the Tomasino millennials with their “Youth Night” on March 1 and the “Tamiya, BMX and Skateboard Contest/Exhibition”, including the special “Seniors’ Night” and “Miss Gay Sto. Tomas 2019” on March 2.
The anniversary heats up with the “Amateur Singing Contest Grand Finals” on March 4; “Jobs Fair” on March 5; “Rakrakan” Rock Band Concert and “Serenata” on March 6 and the Foundation Day festivities, which culminates to a “Fireworks Display” on March 7.
She added that private media and business telecommunications firms have thrown their support with the “Sopresaya” Caravan on March 3. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
