Mayor Raymund Tongson reminded city and barangay officials, and local government unit officers of their responsibilities to the people of Himamaylan as this southern Negros city kicked off the 4th Himaya Festival on Easter Sunday.
“Let us continue what we have started,” appealed Tongon during his message after the Holy Mass, held at the City Hall ground floor, which signaled the start of the Himamaylan’s week-long festivities.
Tongson thanked the officials, officers, and employees who have been instrumental in the city’s national, regional, and provincial accolades, such as the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance, Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) award, and Sustainability 2 award from the 2023 Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Awards, among others.
“Recently, Himamaylan City was hailed the number one child-friendly LGU in the Philippines,” Tongson said. “If we are reminded that we are just one people of Himamaylan, we can achieve all of our dreams and aspirations, and conquer any and all future challenges.”
Himamaylan is not only fortunate to celebrate the start of the Himaya Festival and its 23rd charter anniversary, “we are especially blessed because it’s Easter Sunday,” he added.
Weeklong Himaya Festival
Tongson also shared that festival-goers can look forward to an extra night of festival highlights.
“From the accustomed two nights of highlights, we have added another night so our fellow Himamaylanons and visitors can enjoy the festivities in the city,” he said.
Also on Sunday, the LGU recognized outstanding Himamaylanons during the Himaya Awards at the City Hall.
The city honored 47 special awardees, top 5 real property taxpayers, top 5 corporate taxpayers, four licensure exams topnotchers, and three national champions from various athletic and dance sports meets.
Today, April 1, Himamaylan’s pride products will be showcased during the opening of the Agri Trade Fair at Brgy. I bridge, followed by a cooking contest of the most delicious delicacies using local products at 2 p.m., and a cultural show at 6 p.m.
The 3rd Inter-TODA basketball tournament, meanwhile, will take place at the Brgy. I gym at 7 p.m.
Persons with disabilities are set to compete in the 2nd MRT Invitational Sitting Volleyball at the Brgy. I gym tomorrow, April 2.
The 19 candidates of the search for the Himaya Queen will also be presented during the pre-pageant at the City Hall grounds, 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Job Fair Plus, which opens at 8 a.m. on April 3 at the City Hall lobby, will offer employment opportunities for jobseekers. There will also be a free legal counseling and a zumba session.
Himamaylan farmers affected by the dry spell will also receive checks from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation at the Agri Trade Fair site, 1 p.m.; while pregnant women are invited to join the Buntis Day with caravan and the #ThroughTheYears Bishop concert will be held on the same day at the Brgy. 1 gym.
The DepEd Day is set on April 4 at the Brgy. I gym. The inter-barangay basketball tournament battle for third is set on the same day. A farmers’ forum at the Agri Trade Fare site will start at 1 p.m., while at the City Hall grounds, the Shake & Sweat Fitness Party, Himamaylan’s Invitational Zumbavaganza, will start at 4 p.m.
Festival highlights
Day one of the festival highlights on April 5 will start with the civic action free medical mission at the Himamaylan National Nigh School, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The City Social Welfare and Development Sectoral Day will also be held at the Brgy. I gym in the afternoon, while the Agri Trade Fair Cooperative activity will begin at 1 p.m. at the Brgy. I bridge.
At 6 p.m., the new Himaya Queen will be crowned at the Brgy. I gym, marking the start of the three-day festival highlights.
OPM legend Parokya ni Edgar will take center stage for the #RakrakanSaMaylan, 10 to 11 p.m. at the Himamaylan NHS field. An afterparty will cap-off Friday with DJ AE Nathalie spinning the night away, the city said in a press release March 31.
Festival highlights on April 6 will begin early with Bark Day, to celebrate Himamaylan City’s “best friends”, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brgy. I gym. The Inter-barangay basketball championship game will commence at 6 p.m.
In Hacienda Antipolo, the Invitational Motocross tournament will begin at 8 a.m., while at 10 a.m., the Agri Trade Fair winners will be awarded at the Brgy. I bridge.
The Talentadong Himamaylanon grand finals will kick off at 7:30 p.m., with the venue to be announced soon.
This will be followed by the Himamaylan Pyrotechnic Party and HimaMyVibe Season 2: P-Pop Edition, with the venue also to be announced this week.
On April 7, the Himaya Festival Street and Arena Dance competition begins on the streets of Brgy. I and will culminate at the Himamaylan NHS grounds, from 1-6 p.m.
The Himaya 2024 Encore is set to wrap up the festivities, featuring hitmaker Moira, heartthrob Enrique Gil, and DJ Japor live at the Himamaylan NHS football field. ||
