Mayor Mayette Javellana declared the city’s first-ever Bugana Festival open as part of the city’s 60th Charter Anniversary, during the Sinuriyaw sa Bago program at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTMCCC) Feb. 11.
The mayor stressed that the diamond milestone is more than just a chronological marker. “Today, as we open the celebration of the 60th Charter Anniversary of Bago, we do not only mark a number of years, we honor a journey.”
She described the city’s 60-year history as one defined by “courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love for this land we proudly call home.”
This year, the city celebrates the first-ever Bugana Festival, representing an abundance of harvest, culture, and faith, as well as an “abundance of hope and love that flows from the hard work and strong spirit of every Bagonhon,” its press release said.
Javellana also cited the street dancing competition held at the city’s major streets, calling Sinuriyaw a powerful expression of identity.
“Sinuriyaw is the dance of our soul. It is our joyful cry of gratitude, our collective heartbeat moving as one,” she stressed, adding that the Bagonhon spirit remains unbreakable and rises “joyful, resilient, and unbreakable” regardless of past struggles.
Six groups competed in the Sinuriyaw street parade, where Bago City DepEd was hailed as the champion during the awarding ceremony.
They were followed by the ABC and SK Federation, first runner-up; I-Tech Senior High School, second runner-up; and the Bago City Employees, third runner-up. The Bago City Employees also secured the Best in Float award.
The official theme song of this year’s Bugana Festival was heard during the program, alongside the sashing of the Diwata sang Bago candidates, and the presentation of the tribes that will compete in the upcoming Bugana Festival dance competition.
Javellana urged her constituents to “dream bigger, to act bolder, and to serve deeper,” and emphasized that every action taken today means a better city for the next generation.
The 60th charter anniversary celebration, on the theme “Better, Brighter Bago @ 60”, will continue with various activities until Feb. 27. ||
