- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The much-awaited comeback of the Ugyonan Festival of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental kicks off today, April 28, with a grand parade and opening program, to be followed by a job fair, all at the town’s public plaza.
The celebration will be until May 1, the fiesta day in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.
Mayor Marvin Malacon said in a press conference April 27 that the 34th staging of the festival “is a thanksgiving and a renewal” amid the pandemic hardships and challenges.
The four-day festival, on the theme “Sa Pag-ugyon, Ibalik ang Kasadya (In Unity, We Can Bring Back Happy Times)”, will highlight the progress and spirit of unity of Saraviahanons in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Malacon said the local government unit allotted P3.5 million for this year’s celebration, and he is thankful for the additional financial and other assistance from Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, and many other sponsors.
He said that about 150 policemen and augmentation personnel will ensure peace and order during the festival, even as he encourages Saraviahanons and revelers to strictly comply with COVID protocols, especially on the wearing of face masks, and the town’s policy on anti-smoking, use of open face helmet, and checkpoints.
The mayor said he expects many visitors from Iloilo and Panay areas, with the daily RoRo operations at the Mantaangan port, aside from revelers from the towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
Malacon assures that the town is safe and prepared to welcome festival goers, and with a spread of activities for everyone’s enjoyment.
HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITIES
The opening ceremony starting at 9 o’clock this morning at the public plaza will have Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez as guest of honor and speaker. Benitez, who had served as congressman of the 3rd District, where E. B. Magalona belongs, for three terms, will be formally introduced by kagawad Matthew Louis Malacon, president of the Barangay Kagawad Association of Saravia (BAKAS).
Performers at the opening program will include the E. B. Magalona Dance Community that bagged the championship trophy at the Pop Dance competition during the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival last week.
The town will also hold a Serbisyo Caravan and Job Fair, starting at 10 a.m. Friday, also at the public plaza, in partnership with the town and provincial Public Employment Service offices, and with 13 local and four overseas companies offering jobs and ready to interview applicants and hire on the spot.
The one-stop-shop Serbisyo Caravan features government agencies like Pag-IBIG, SSS, NBI, PhilHealth, and PhilSys, the Public Information Office said.
The Tumandok Night Dance competition, dubbed “Indak sa Noventa”, starting at 7 o’clock tonight, will feature 10 sectoral groups dancing to the popular music of the 1990s; while the Repakol Band (formerly Siakol) performance will cap off Day 1 of the Ugyonan festival, starting at 10 p.m.
On April 29, the Philippine National Police will hold a caravan on License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF), 8 a.m. at the public plaza, and is open to all gun owners.
Other activities include the alumni homecoming of the E.B. Magalona National High School, Katilingban Day of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 2nd Mayor Marvin Malacon Dart Tournament at Ciano’s Seafood Grill and Bar at 9 a.m., and the Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 10 candidates of the Lin-ay sang Ugyonan 2023 will compete during the Talent Night, starting at 7 p.m. at the plaza, also on April 29, with the coronation night set in the same venue on April 30.
On Sunday are the Pa-Bingo Games at the Plaza, sponsored by Rep. Benitez, Dart Tournament at Ciano’s, Mobile Legends Tournament at Saravia Commercial Building, Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit.
There will also be a Zumba competition and party, Lin-ay coronation night, and Shamrock Band, all at the plaza on Day 3.
A concelebrated mass at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 8 a.m. on Monday will kick-start the last day of activities. The six clustered barangays will then compete in the street and arena dance competition, starting at 2 p.m.
The festival will be capped off with a “Reggae Night” at the plaza starting at 7 p.m., top-billed by American reggae group Big Mountain, the band behind the remake of “Baby, I Love Your Way”. Other performers are Chocolate Factory, Cali Island, and original Viva Hot Babes Maui Taylor and Katya Santos.
Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, and Sangguniang Bayan members who were at the press conference yesterday took turns in inviting the public to the Ugyonan Festival.
This year’s edition marks the return of the festival in full swing after more than three years of stringent policies and restrictions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic./CGC
