By Erlinda T. Yutuc – PIO
As early as now, concerned officials of the provincial government have started mapping out plans for the forthcoming 439th celebration of Pampanga Day in December.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Andres Pangilinan, Jr., upon the instructions of Governor Lilia G. Pineda, recently met with the various department heads and heads of offices of the capitol to discuss initial preparations for the Pampanga Day celebration.
This year’s celebration will be held from December 6 to 11 and will feature activities designed to promote public awareness on the history and culture of the province and at the same time rekindle the Kapampangan’s sense of pride and honor of their race.
“The officials of the Capitol brainstormed on the possible line-up of activities- which of the previous programs shall be continued and what other innovative undertakings will be conducted this year,” said Arwin Paul Lingat of the Arts, Culture and Tourism (ACTOP) who was tasked to consolidate the proposed activities of various department heads.
Lingat said that the group will be meeting again this week to formally organize the executive committee to ensure the successful conduct of the celebration.
“Main item in the said meeting’s agenda is the presentation of the consolidated proposed programs of various department heads and heads of offices of the province,” he added.
“In deciding what programs to undertake, the group will take cue from the directive of the governor – that is to make sure that the celebration would be masaya and malagu”, Lingat said.
The annual search for Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award (MOKA) and the Mutya ning Kapampangan, as in the past celebrations, would highlight the six-day festivities.
It was initially agreed during the meeting that activities like medical missions be held right at the provincial capitol compound, Lingat said, as he added that inmates at the provincial jail will be included among the target beneficiaries.
An agro-industrial fair which would showcase the best products of the different municipalities in the province will also be held along with a food festival which would feature the pride of Pampango cuisine.
There are also proposals to hold a Capitol employees night as well as “Rigodon de Honor” to further forge camaraderie between and among the local officials and employees and their respective spouses.
The holding of the Rigodon de Honor, a social dancing, was proposed by provincial Board Members Monina Laus and Trina Dizon to revive the Circulo Kapampangan which was organized during the term of Governor Bren Z. Guiao.
ACTOP Officer-in-Charge Rey G. Arciga said that his office shall submit a proposal on the holding of a grand parade which shall feature the local officials of the province.
The tourism office would also recommend the conduct of cultural presentations in each of the four districts of the province to further drumbeat public awareness on the celebration.
“We also included in our proposal the holding of a photo exhibit on various festivals and tourist attractions in the province,” Arciga added.
History tells us that on December 11, 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi declared Pampanga as the first province of Central Luzon , with Baculud, now known as Bacolor, as its capital, Lingat ended.
