By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Marvin Malacon EB Magalona, Negros Occidental on Thursday said that this year’s celebration of the Ugyunan Festival highlights the progress of the town due to the unity and hard work of the locals.
In a press conference, Malacon told reporters that the 34th Ugyonan Festival in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker, kicks off today, April 28, and will run until May 1, which is the fiesta day.
He said this year’s theme is “Sa Pag-ugyon, Ibalik ang Kasadya (In Unity, We Can Bring Back Happy Times).”
This year’s festival is the first in-person celebration after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the first day, April 28, the opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the Public Plaza, with Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez as the guest of honor and speaker.
Benitez served as congressman of the Third District, where E. B. Magalona belongs to, for three terms.
Performers at the opening program will include the E. B. Magalona Dance Community which bagged the championship trophy at the Pop Dance Competition of the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival last week (April 17 to 23).
Also on April 28, starting at 10 a. m., the municipality will host the Serbisyo Caravan and Job Fair at the Public Plaza.
This activity is in partnership between Public Employment Service Office (PESO) EB Magalona and the Provincial PESO.
Thirteen local and four overseas companies will be at the Public Plaza ready to hire workers.
Employers will be on-site and ready to interview applicants and hire on the spot. Meanwhile, clients can avail of various services from the one-stop-shop Serbisyo Caravan featuring government agencies like Pag-IBIG, SSS, NBI, PhilHealth, and PhilSys.
One of the festival highlights is the Tumandok Night Dance Competition, dubbed “Indak sa Noventa,” on April 28, starting 7:00 PM at the Public Plaza. The competition will feature 10 sectoral groups dancing to the popular music of the 1990s.
Repakol Band (formerly Siakol) will perform at the Public Plaza starting 10 p.m.
The next day, April 29 [Saturday], the Philippine National Police will hold a Caravan on License To Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) at the Public Plaza starting at 8 a.m.
Other activities include the Alumni Homecoming of E. B. Magalona National High School starting with a parade at 7 a.m., with Manila band Yano performing at 8 p.m.
Other events on the second day are Katilingban Day of St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 8 a.m., 2nd Mayor Marvin Malacon Dart Tournament at Ciano’s Seafood Grill and Bar at 9 a.m., and Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the evening, the 10 candidates of the Lin-ay sang Ugyonan 2023 will hold their Talent Night at the Public Plaza starting at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, April 30, to be simultaneously held starting at 9 a.m. are Pa-Bingo Games at the Plaza sponsored by 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, Dart Tournament at Ciano’s, Mobile Legends Tournament at Saravia Commercial Building, and Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit.
Also on Sunday are Zumba Competition at 2 p.m., Zumba Party at 4 p.m., Lin-ay sang Ugyonan 2023 Coronation Night, and Shamrock Band (sponsored by Cong. Kiko Benitez) at 10 p.m. – all at the Public Plaza.
On fiesta day, May 1, there will be a Concelebrated Mass at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 8 a.m. Six clustered barangays will compete in the Street and Arena Dance Competition starting at 2 p.m.
The festival will cap 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.
