| Nobody in his right mind
would schedule festivities in August -- the peak of the monsoon season.
Especially August this year, possibly the wettest such month in the past
several years.
That Gapan City held its
second cityhood anniversary during the second and third weeks of August
had nothing to do with anyone's questionable sanity, but rather because
of a quirk of history. Gapan was formally proclaimed a city after a plebiscite
on August 25, 2001.
Monsoon rains threatened
to spoil many of the commemorative multisectoral activities. But the foul
weather was not enough to dampen the jubilant mood of Gapanenses as, armed
with umbrellas, they celebrated the second anniversary of their city.
Prime
Movers
City Mayor Ernesto Natividad
wears Gapan slippers
in his public appearances.
Mayor Natividad with ex-Rep.
Julita Lorenzo-Villareal,
who initiated the move for
the cityhood of Gapan,
and Rep. Raoul Villareal.
2nd
Tsinelas Festival
The thriving slipper industry
of Gapan City is showcased in the 2nd Tsinelas Festival.
Over 30 booths line the
entire stretch
of the front of the city
plaza...
... with members of the
City of Gapan Footwear Cooperative
selling their products at
bargain prices.
There's something for everyone...
... for mommies and daddies...
... for kids...
... for teens...
... for grannies...
... even for F4 and Meteor
Garden fans.
Tanong: Kung ang teledramang
Intsik ay tinatawag na "chinovela,"
ano ang tawag sa tsinelas
na may litrato ng Intsik?
Sagot -- "chinelas."
Slalom
Car racing freaks have a
field day at the slalom on Aug. 17.
City officials led by Vice
Mayor Leoncio Mangahas oversee the event.
The wide road in front of
the city plaza
becomes a slalom course
for the day...
... as drivers in souped-up
stock cars show off their skills.
Street
Dancing
Dancers from various public
and private schools
converge at the city plaza
for street dancing (Aug. 18).
Sponsored by the City Division
of Schools,
the event is a panorama
of colorful costumes...
... from the tribal...
...to the whimsical.
Live
Onstage
Despite the rains, people
flock to the city plaza for various entertainment shows
like the concert of the
pop group Masculados (Aug. 18)...
... talent competition of
the
search for Mutya ng Gapan
2003 (Aug. 20)...
... search for Mr. and
Mrs. Federated Parent-
Teacher-Community Associations
(Aug.
21)...
... Students' Night, featuring
talents from various tertiary schools
in the city (Aug. 23).
Finals of Mutya ng Gapan
2003...
... featuring outstanding
beauties...
... representing 18 of the
city's 23 barangays.
The pageant was won by Natasha
Catbagan
of Barangay San Roque (
Aug. 24).
Interbarangay
Sports and Games Festival
Sports competitions and
fun games participated in by
Gapan City barangays are
held at the city plaza (Aug. 12-22).
Even city hall employees
take a break to join the fun.
Commemorative
Program
The Philippine Marines
Drum and Bugle Corps wows the crowd
assembled at the city plaza
for the final commemorative program ( Aug. 25).
Singing the National Anthem:
Vice Mayor and Mrs. Leoncio
Mangahas,
Rep. Raoul Villareal
and wife Julita,
City Mayor and Mrs. Ernesto
Natividad
and Councilor Perry Hernandez
The Vice Mayor gives the
welcome remarks.
Ex-Rep. Julita Lorenzo-Villareal
delivers her message.
The city mayor reports on
his administration's accomplishments
and announces future plans
for the city.
Plaque of recognition and
cash award are given to
Barangay Santo Niño
for attaining a drug-free status.
Plaque and cash award are
given to the Gapan City police
represented by its chief,
Supt.
Benjamin dela Cruz,
for its effective anti-illegal
drug campaign.
Trophies and cash awards
are handed out to the winners of
the "2003 Paligsahan
sa Kalinisan at Luntiang Kapaligiran ng mga Barangay."
The grand winner: Barangay
Pambuan.
Click here for
the Grand Tsinelas Parade
|
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