By Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma/JAD-OJT
BATAC CITY, June 29 (PIA) – The 10th year celebration of Batac City’s Charter anniversary was filled with various events and highlighted by the Empanada Festival.
Though Batac is known in the annual staging of the Empanada Festival, its Charter Day celebration this year has again proven that it is indeed an identity of the city.
To give emphasis to the celebration of its delectable empanada, the city government conducted the fiesta empanada dance showdown called “Dangadang ken Rayray-aw” which showcased the culture and history of the local food.
“This year’s celebration will definitely promote our products as well as our culture here in Batac,” said city Tourism Officer Merlyn T. Gorospe.
As part of the city’s charter anniversary celebration, events from June 21 to 28 were organized.
On June 21, the Awis Trabaho or Charter Day Job Fair was conducted at the Imelda Cultural Center.
On June 22, the Panangpabileg Mannalon or the distribution of farm equipment and machineries to the farmers in Batac City was held. A photo exhibit dubbed “Kusikos: A Day in Batac” was also opened to the public on the same day.
Activities on June 23 were the Charter Day thanksgiving mass, Parada EMPANAdekaDA or the Fiesta Empanada Grand Parade and the empanada dance showdown.
Empanada 2017 Fiesta Ray, blessing and inauguration of the Hilario Valdez Memorial Elementary School (HVMES) library, and City Charter Anniversary Ball were staged on June 24 while blessing and inauguration of San Mateo Health Station was on June 25.
The groundbreaking of the Camguidan Community Center and Magnuang Community Center was on June 26 and the groundbreaking of Quiom-Maipalig Elementary School covered court and distribution of barangay patrol tricycles to each barangay in the city were on June 27.
Lastly, Singgalut ni Ayat 2017 or the city’s mass wedding was held on June 28. (Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma/JAD-OJT,PIA1-Ilocos Norte)
