The Pampanga provincial government has been preparing for the celebration of the 440th Aldo ning Kapampangan next week, from December 6 to 11.
Arwin Paul Lingat of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP) said all Kapampangans are enjoined to participate in the various activities, “para manariwa ang diwa ng pagiging Kapampangan”.
The program of activities will kick off on December 6, Tuesday with a trade fair opening at six o’clock in the morning along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA); a flag-raising ceremony at the Arnedo Park capitol grounds, 8 am; a thanksgiving mass to be officiated by Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, 9 am at the Benigno Aquino Hall, after which will follow a blessing of capitol facilities.
At 2 pm of the same day, teachers will have “Aldo ning Talaturu” at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (BZGCC); at 3 pm follows a business conference at the Aquino hall; and then at 6 pm, a lighting of the capitol Christmas decors and fireworks display and the “Aldo ding Kooperatiba” will cap the first day of the week-long celebration.
On Wednesday, December 7, it will be “Aldo ding Katutubo”, at 6 am, BZGCC; then at 1 pm, it will be the farmers’ turn to celebrate “Aldo ding Ortelano”, also at the BZGCC; and the youth will have their turn to celebrate “Aldo ding Kayanakan” at the capitol grounds, at 6 pm.
On Thursday, December 8, there will be a mass at 6 in the morning at the Sports Complex after which a “kuraldal” or street dance with capitol employees will follow in the same venue. It will also be a day for capitol employees or “Aldo ding Empleyado” at the BZGCC while at 6 pm, it will be “Aldo ding Municipio” when it shall be the municipalities’ turn to celebrate.
On Friday, December 9, the Balitucan District Hospital in Magalang will be inaugurated at 8 am; a tribute to Archbishop Aniceto will be held at 6 pm at the Aquino Hall; and the Mutya ng Kapampangan beauty pageant finals will be held at 8 pm at the BZGCC.
Saturday, December 10 will be “Aldo ding Kapulisan” at the BZGCC at 7 am; then at 10 am, the Sinukuan festival will open at the Robinsons Star Mills; and at 6 pm, a variety show of TV 5 talents will be held at the Sports Complex.
On December 11, Sunday, Aldo ning Kapampangan, 7 am, a fluvial parade or “libad” will happen at the coastal area of Lubao; and at 5 pm, the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) will be given out at the BZGCC, with Kapampangan business tycoon and himself a past MOKA awardee, Manny V. Pangilinan as guest of honor.
This year’s celebration will be different in that many of the sectors that are stakeholders in Pampanga’s development will be given focus, thus, “there will all the more reason for everyone to join in the festivities”, Lingat concluded. (Pampanga PIO)
