Imagine the scene: rain pouring down, but the spirit of thousands of Victoriasanons unyielding, singing along with their favorite band, The Itchyworms.
This was the opening night of Victorias City’s 27th Kadalag-an Festival, a testament to the vibrant heart of a community ready to celebrate, come what may.
For five days, from March 19th to 23rd, the city pulsed with a human energy that transcended mere festivities, becoming a tapestry of shared joys, personal triumphs, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging.
At the heart of the celebration was the crowning of Natasha Soriano as Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen 2025 on a dazzling coronation night that featured some of the country’s biggest stars – Piolo Pascual, Sam Concepcion, and beauty queens Pauline Amelinckx, Maureen Montagne, Christi McGarry, and Ysabella Ysmael, among others.
But the Kadalag-an Festival wasn’t just about grand stages and glittering crowns. It was in the smaller, more intimate moments that the true spirit of the city shone through.
Fifty couples exchanged heartfelt vows in a mass wedding ceremony with Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez offering not just his blessings but also practical gifts, like butane sets and a sack of rice, a symbol of support for their new journeys.
It also became a beacon of opportunity and care. The Sidlak Serbisyo Publiko medical mission saw doctors, nurses, and volunteers come together to provide free healthcare for many Victoriasanons.
In addition, hundreds of jobseekers connect with potential employers at the Kadalag-an Festival Job Fair.
The first-ever Midnight Victory Run, led by Mayor Benitez, wasn’t just about fitness; it was about unity, with over 400 people running together as the city welcomed its 27th Charter Anniversary. The grand fireworks display that followed wasn’t just a spectacle in the sky; it was a shared moment of awe and celebration for everyone gathered below.
This year’s highlight was the inaugural Sidlak Music Fest which gathered an estimated crowd of 12,000, who enjoyed a night of music with Michael Pangilinan, Zack Tabudlo, Imago, and the up-and-rising loveteam, JMFyang.
The festival drew to a close with the 27th Kadalag-an Festival Awards Night. Sr. Marie of the Holy Trinity was awarded the first Mayor’s Medal of Distinction while Victoriasanon painter, Mark Justiniani, was recognized as this year’s Sidlak Awardee.
The 27th Kadalag-an Festival was more than just a series of events; it was a vibrant expression of Victorias City’s soul. It was a time when personal stories intertwined with community celebrations, leaving behind a powerful sense of shared pride and a renewed commitment to a brighter future.
It was, indeed, a festival where every heart seemed to glow with the spirit of kadalag-an – victory. ||
