LOS ANGELES, CA — The 440th Aldo Ning Capampangan kicked off early on December 3 at the Lax Hilton Hotel here with a theme: “ One Community, One Culture. It was graced by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and her entourage of local officials; from 13 municipal mayors and 7 provincial board members.
Other guests were Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, Carson City Mayor Jim Dear and Carson Councilor Elito Santarina, a fellow “cabalen”.
The Pampanga mayors who attended the celebration include Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Floridablanca Mayor Eddie Guerrero, Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang, Masantol Mayor Peter Flores, Minalin Mayor Arturo Naguit, San Luis Mayor Venancio Macapagal, Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon, Macabebe Mayor Anneth Balgan, Sasmuan Mayor Lala Leoncio, Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson, Lubao Mayor Mylin Pineda-Cayabyab, Arayat Mayor Luis Espino and Apalit Mayor Oscar “Jun” Tetangco.
The provincial board members who joined the governor were Board Members Fritzie David, Jun Dimson, Ricardo yabut, Trina Dizon, Raul Macalino, Nestor Tolentino and Dein Henson; Lubao Municipal Councilor John Susi and GNN 44 owner Allan Dungao.
Almost 600 “cabalens” jam-packed the International ballroom hall of Hilton Hotel during the Gala Night prepared by the Pampanga Day Celebration Commission (PDCC). Other highlights of the Pampanga Day here included programs featuring talents and beauty queens, trade booths, production numbers, cultural songs and dance performance, packed food displays, presentation of 2011 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards and governors forum.
Governor Pineda and Pampanga mayors and officials met and entertained the queries of their cabalens about countryside development, infrastructures, economics, local investments, retirement and eco-tourism during the governor’s forum.
The governor has also presented the short history of the province, current economic situation, state of the province during her first year of incumbency, “Cabalens” at the height of calamities and Pampanga Development Plans through a video presentation prepared by the provincial government. Some trade groups and investors invited by PDCC had also presented their proposed investment programs for Pampanga in the future.
Aside from the coronation of Miss Pampanga USA, Lubao Mayor Mylin Pineda-Cayabyab was crowned as Mrs. Pampanga USA joining other maiden beauties. The coronation was headed by Mike Cucueco, Executive Commissioner and Finance Officer of the Pampanga Day Celebration Commission (PDCC), Commissioners Rodel Pamintuan Lumanog, Josie Baby Borja-Philips, Larry Pelayo and GNN 44 Executive Maureen Aquino, one of the convenors of the celebration.
PDCC is now on its fifth year celebrating the 440th Foundation Day of Pampanga in Los Angeles , California.
Cucueco said the Pampanga Day Celebration in California is an annual event common to all Kapampangans and friends; giving them an opportunity to be with each other once a year and enjoy the programs we have in store for them.
“Thus, no matter what town affiliation you have does not matter to us. We want to celebrate as one people sans prejudice and the hold of any association. We are all Kapampangans. We are one.” This explains why there are no large groups identified with the Commission in terms of visible members,” Cucueco added. (Joel Mapiles – PIO)
