MABALACAT CITY — Mayor Crisostomo Garbo (MCG) expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the week-long Balacat Festival 2024.
“Your dedication and commitment to showcasing the best of Mabalacat have truly made this year’s festival a memorable and enriching experience for all. My heartfelt thanks to all barangay captains and your council, SK leaders, and your volunteers. Thank you, Arwin Lingat and your team, to our city’s treasures – Mr. Robby Tantingco and Mr. Alex Castro, to my city administrator and all my department and unit heads. Dacal pung salamat kekayung sinaup,” Garbo said.
The 2024 Balacat Festival showcased a diverse array of events and activities that captivated audiences, including the Agro-Industrial Food Fair Bazaar and the grand inauguration of the Tabnuan Cultural Hub, which was the festival’s highlight.
Other activities included the setting up of 27 pavilions representing each barangay, Sayaw Pinoy tour, the Takbo para sa Balacat Run for a Cause, open concerts, the coronation of the new Miss Mabalacat, and the Street Dance Parade and Interpretative Dance performances.
Cecile Yumul, the main host of the cultural events of the festival, admired fellow kabalens who cheered with the crowd along MacArthur Highway despite the traffic.
“My brother, who’s a member of the transport sector with routes going in and out of Clark, did not mind the traffic at all. He was even in awe of the festive scene,” Yumul shared.
Joining Mayor Garbo for most of the activities were Vice Mayor Gerald Guttrie Aquino together with councilors Cherry Manalo, Cocoy Tiglao, Timothy Dee, Noel Castro, Carl Dizon, Marjorie Sambo, Jerry Magsino, Liza Pineda, Rox Peña, and Liga ng mga Barangay President Rey Pineda.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my daughter, Board Member Winwin Garbo, for putting her time and dedication to make these events about culture, arts and heritage, a very successful one. I’m so happy to see her grow by knowing her roots, and appreciating the factual stories and lessons from the past,” the Mayor furthered.
