No words can ever describe how phenomenal our 26th Kadalag-an Festival celebration was at Sidlak Victorias Global City. It was truly the next level of experience for all of us, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said.
“Our deepest gratitude goes to every Victoriahanon, who came to embrace and witness the dawn of our new era. Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo pakigbahin sa aton selebrasyon. See you next year,” Benitez said.
Victorias City celebrated its 26th Kadalag-an Festival from March 21 to 24 at the Sidlak Victorias Global City for the first time-ever.
The festivities kicked off with the grand civic military parade, joined by 2,982 participants comprised of uniformed personnel, multi-sectoral groups, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan councils, and national government agency heads and representatives, among others.
The Sidlak Victorias Global City is where the smart, sustainable, and resilient Victorias City will rise.
It houses the City Command and Evacuation Center and soon, the New Government Center, Sidlak Residential Complex, Art District, Commercial and Transport Hubs, and many more state-of-the-art buildings and facilities.
“We called this the Sidlak Victorias Global City because we envision Victorias City not only to be nationally competitive but to level up in the global standards (and) to be a home for all Victoriahanons where they can live, work, and play,” Mayor Javi shared.
In celebration of the 26th Kadalag-an Festival, the city organized a comprehensive medical mission and a bloodletting activity, dubbed “Sidlak Serbisyo Publiko”, at the Victorias City Command and Evacuation Center on March 24.
The Victorias City government, led by Mayor Benitez, aimed to provide inclusive health services for all Victoriahanons through the health initiative.
The Sidlak Serbisyo Publico medical mission offered general check-ups, free consultations, and free medications.
It also addressed various health concerns of beneficiaries and provided essential health education.
Additionally, beneficiaries availed of free tooth extraction services and complementary medicines.
Simultaneously, the LGU conducted bloodletting activity and urine testing to enhance screening efforts, in collaboration with the Negros First Blood Center.
This health initiative was realized through the joint efforts of the Victorias City Health Office, medical professionals, dentists, and program partners from various health organizations.
On March 22, the Sectoral Day was held with a variety of engaging activities that brought together different sectors of the community.
The event, held at the Sidlak Victorias Global City Activity Center, aimed to honor and pay tribute to the contributions of Victoriahanon women in various fields.
The festivities kicked off with a Zumba, with participants in purple attire.
Participants from diverse sectors, including the youth, PWDs, senior citizens, ERPAT, Barangay VAWC, women’s organizations, farmers, fisherfolk, daycare parents, beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and representatives from government agencies, such as DepEd, BFP, PNP, BJMP, BIR, and city employees, joined in the celebration.
Moreover, a chess exhibition match between senior citizens and ERPAT was also held, with senior citizens emerging as winners.
The event also featured free self-care services, including haircuts and seated massages, catering to the well-being of 240 individuals.
The Women’s Cheer Dance Competition highlighted the event, featuring 13 dynamic entries.
After a thrilling showcase, clustered barangays IX and XIII claimed the championship, followed by the runners-up, barangays VI and III, and barangays VI-A and VII, respectively.
Mayor Benitez, alongside city officials, graced the event to show their support.
The Sectoral Day celebration not only showcased the diverse talents and unity within the community but also served as a platform to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of women.
The event was a testament to the spirit of collaboration and empowerment, inspiring individuals to continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
On the same day, Jada Biaxyl Celeste of Barangay X, Victorias City, was crowned the Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen 2024 and the city’s newest ambassadress at the City Coliseum.
She bagged numerous minor and special awards, including the Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimwear, Ms. GCash, Ms. Bacolod JOR Travel and Tours, and Miss Lagaw Pinoy Travel and Events.
Celeste will receive a cash prize of P75,000 and a scholarship grant.
Shane Chavez, first runner-up, and Elvie Barrios, second runner-up, will also receive P50,000 and P30,000, respectively, and a scholarship grant each.
Mayor Javi emphasized women’s empowerment in his message and stressed that the Kadalag-an Festival is dedicated to all Victoriahanon women, who made the city victorious despite several adversities.
“This is what the Kadalag-an Festival is truly about, celebrating the stronghold of our community that keeps us united and accelerate as one,” he added.
He also announced that the LGU will soon launch a Women’s Center, which shall uphold safe spaces for women.
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss International 2023 3rd runner-up Nicole Borromeo, and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 4th runner-up Billie Hakenson, Bacolod City first lady Dominique Lopez-Benitez, Mister Supranational Philippines 2023 Johannes Rissler, and Miss World Philippines 2018 first princess Chanel Morales were the members of the esteemed panel of judges.
Miss Supranational 2023 1st runner-up Pauline Amelinckx and Negrosanon top film director and seasoned event host, Kurt Steven Soberano, hosted the star-studded coronation night.
Meanwhile, Indie folk-pop music sensation Ben&Ben performed at the Sidlak Victorias Global City for the 26th Kadalag-an Festival and gathered an estimated crowd of 13,000 fans, March 23.
The highly-anticipated concert of the band garnered the biggest crowd throughout the whole festival.
Ben&Ben surprised the crowd when they sang songs they rarely perform live, including “Masyado Pang Maaga” and “Lifetime”.
The band also performed some of their greatest hits, such as “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay”, “Araw Araw”, and “Ride Home”.
Ben&Ben commended the crowd for their enthusiastic energy in singing along with the band.
For their final song, the crowd sang their hearts out as the band performed their number one song in Spotify, “Kathang Isip”.
Mayor Benitez and his girlfriend, actress Sue Ramirez, also attended the concert along with city officials.
On March 21, he officiated the wedding of 145 Victoriahanon couples at the Victorias City Coliseum. | NWI
