Victorias City is celebrating its 26th Kadalag-an Festival at the Sidlak Victorias Global City for the first time-ever.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez officially opened the celebration March 21, with a grand civic-military parade, with about 2,982 participants, comprised of uniformed personnel, multi-sectoral groups, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan councils, national government agency heads and representatives, and residents.
“We have prepared to give you the next level of Kadalag-an experience here in the Sidlak Victorias Global City. From music festivals to our signature cultural events, starting today, March 21, until March 24, the 26th Kadalag-an Festival will definitely go down in our history,” Mayor Javi said in his message.
The Sidlak Victorias Global City is where the smart, sustainable, and resilient Victorias City will rise, a press release from the city said.
It houses the City Command and Evacuation Center and soon, the New Government Center, Sidlak Residential Complex, Art District, commercial and transport hubs, and many more state-of-the-art buildings and facilities.
“We called this the Sidlak Victorias Global City because we envision Victorias City not only to be nationally-competitive but to level up in the global standards (and) to be a home for all Victoriahanons where they can live, work, and play,” Benitez said.
The opening ceremony was graced by Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, city councilors, barangay, and SK officials, along with the 12 candidates of Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen 2024 and the ceremony’s special guest, actress Sue Ramirez, among others.
The performances of the Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival dancers, Hangyaku-sha dancers, and Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias Silent Drill performance also entertained participants and residents.
Benitez, meanwhile, led the inauguration of the Veterans Monument, at the City Public Plaza, also March 21.
This is the first-ever monument in the province of Negros Occidental dedicated to the four resistance groups that battled against foreign aggression – the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), guerilla, volunteer guards, and the civil government commanded by then mayor Alfredo Montelibano Sr.
The mayor also officiated in the mass wedding of 145 Victoriahanon couples, at the Victorias City Coliseum, also Thursday, as part of the festivity.
The city said that this year’s celebration until March 24 promises another diverse set of activities and events. ||
