• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Talisay City in Negros Occidental is positioning itself as a developing urban center that combines modern growth with the preservation of its cultural and historical heritage.
Mayor Rowena Lopez-Lizares, who hosted the Minulu-an Festival lunch on Thursday, Sept. 10 said that Talisay, located between the highly urbanized Bacolod City and heritage-rich Silay City, aims to draw inspiration from both neighboring cities while developing its own identity.
“Being in between, we would like to incorporate both – the modern city of Bacolod and the heritage of Silay City,” she added.
Lizares added that the city wants to create an environment where modernization and innovation can thrive without sacrificing its heritage.
Talisay City not only marked its 27th Minulu-an Festival, but also the 176th year celebration of its patron, St. Nicolas de Tolentino.
Lizares said the city’s Minulu-an Festival was extended this year and brought to two venues, including the newly developed public markets and public plaza, as part of the efforts to provide residents and visitors with more spaces for community activities.
Another major attraction of the festivities, held from Sept. 4 to 10, is the three-night Sugba-Sugba Festival at the new public market, where residents and visitors can purchase fresh goods and have them cooked on site while enjoying local food delicacies and live bands.
Lizares said the city government is considering making the “Sugba-Sugba” activity a regular event, possibly once a month, as a new attraction for Talisay.
“We will see how to accommodate the people,” she said.
The mayor also underscored the importance of maintaining peace and order throughout the festivities, with police officers and force multipliers deployed to ensure public safety. | GPB
