Mayor Crisostomo Garbo and vice mayor Gerald Guttrie Aquino, along with the city councilors, BM Winwin Garbo, barangay officials, government employees, stakeholders, residents and visitors graced the festival’s grand opening ceremony at the Balacat Village (formerly Crismas village), along MacArthur Highway, Barangay Mabiga on February 27.
Among the highlights of the event was the official opening of the 27 Agro-Industrial Trade and Food Expo Pavilions, which were built and designed by each of the barangay councils. Apart from representing each barangay, these beautiful pavilions also showcase products and food native to each of the villages.
This was followed by the lighting of the giant Balacat Tree and the official opening of the Balacat Village to the public.
Colorful performances also brightened the evening, including the presentation of the Miss Mabalacat 2023 candidates, and the ‘Sayaw Pinoy,’ a dance concert by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Luzon Leg, in celebration of the National Arts Month.
Garbo extended his gratitude to the local officials, employees and people of Mabalacat City for the successful launch of the Balacat Festival 2023.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumuo at kumilos para mapahusay at mapaganda ang ating unang selebrasyon ng Balacat Festival. I cannot do it without your help so thank you very much for making our pilot year a successful one. Asahan nyo po na marami pang magaganda at masasayang aktibidad ang nakalaan para sa ating lahat sa linggong ito,” Garbo said.
A total of eight thousand people filled the 3-hectare open lot to witness the official launching of the city’s biggest celebration, as estimated by its City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The event ended with a grand fireworks display which also marked the official opening of the Balacat Festival 2023.
Apart from the week-long display of the Agro-Industrial Trade and Food Expo Pavilions in the Balacat Village, the festival activities also include a 4-day Barangaynihan, a one-stop caravan offering free government services in different barangays in the city, a Balacat Tree planting program, Balacat Music Festival, a Motorshow, a Free Dance Competition and the most awaited pre-pageant and coronation night of the Miss Mabalacat 2023.
The city also honors its culture and heritage through an art exhibit titled ‘Mabalacat of Memory,’ which features 59 art pieces by 19 local artists. The gallery, located at the old municipal building, along McArthur Highway, Brgy. Poblacion is open to the public from 8:00am-5:00pm until March 04, 2023.
Balacat Festival will be celebrated until March 04 and will also be concluded with a grand firework display in the said festival village.
We will continue to co-innovate with our partners as we strive to empower our local industries and help them unlock better opportunities and growth,” Mr. Uy noted.
KT CEO Ku Hyeongmo, who also witnessed the MOU signing, said they are delighted to work with Converge as they seek to open more opportunities in the Philippines and contribute to the delivery of world-class innovations to local companies.
“We are thrilled to pursue this strategic partnership with Converge for the delivery of our leading-edge technology solutions to Filipino enterprises. We are one with Converge in championing digital democracy to improve the lives of their customers and we hope that through this venture, we could contribute further to the advancement of other industries in the Philippines,” said Mr. Ku.
KT Corporation is the leading telecommunications provider in South Korea that provides integrated wired and wireless communication solutions and services, spanning a wide range of industry use cases such as energy management, security and safety management, and financial technology, among others.
Also present during the MOU signing were Converge Chief Technology Officer Ronald Brusola and Chief Network Transformation Officer Paulo Martin Santos, ComClark Chief Operations Officer Benedicto Bulatao and MetroWorks President and Chief Operations Officer Miles Tonn Chua.
