Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Monday successfully launched its first Balacat Festival.
Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo and Vice Mayor Gerald Guttrie Aquino, along with city councilors, BM Winwin Garbo, barangay officials, government employees, stakeholders, residents and visitors, joined the grand opening ceremony of the first Balacat Festival held at the Balacat Village (formerly Crismas village) on MacArthur Highway in Bgy. Mabiga.
Among the highlights of the festival was the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 27 Agro-Industrial Trade and Food Expo Pavilions, which were built and designed by the barangay councils.
The beautiful pavilions also house the trade and exhibition of products and food native to each of the villages.
The ribbon-cutting was followed by the lighting of a giant Balacat Tree and the official opening of the Balacat Village to the public.
Colorful performances also brightened the evening, including the presentation of the Miss Mabalacat 2023 candidates and the “Sayaw Pinoy,” a dance concert by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Luzon Leg, in celebration of the National Arts Month.
Garbo thanked the local officials, employees and people of Mabalacat City for the successful launch of the Balacat Festival 2023.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumuo at kumilos para mapahusay at mapaganda ang ating unang selebrasyon ng Balacat Festival. I cannot do it without your help, so thank you very much for making our pilot year a successful one. Asahan n’yo po na marami pang magaganda at masasayang aktibidad ang nakalaan para sa ating lahat sa linggong ito,” Garbo said.
Some 8,000 people filled the three-hectare open lot to witness the official launching of the city’s biggest festival, as estimated by its City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The launch ended with a grand fireworks display, which also marked the official opening of the Balacat Festival 2023.
Aside from the week-long display of the Agro-Industrial Trade and Food Expo Pavilions in the Balacat Village, the festival activities also include a four-day Barangaynihan, a one-stop caravan offering free government services in different barangays in the city, a Balacat Tree planting program, Balacat Music Festival, a Motorshow, a Free Dance Competition and the most awaited pre-pageant and coronation night of the Miss Mabalacat 2023.
The city also honors its culture and heritage through an art exhibit titled “Mabalacat of Memory,” which features 59 art pieces by 19 local artists.
The gallery, located at the old municipal building on MacArthur Highway in Bgy. Poblacion, is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 4.
