LAOAG CITY, Jan. 31 – In his festival message, Laoag Mayor Michael Farinas said that festival committees have put together more innovations to make this year’s event bigger and more colorful than the previous celebrations.
Farinas, whose term will end in 2013, marks his third and final term in office with major investment and public service projects ranging from a shopping mall to a modern hospital.
Talks that Laoag will become the next home of SM mall, the country’s largest retailer owned by business tycoon Henry Sy, have elevated the city as a major investment hub in Luzon.
“We are thankful for the milestones we have accomplished, the ventures we are privileged to undertake and the enduring fulfilment we share as a blessed city,” Farinas said.
Adding more meaning to the events are some national officials and celebrities who will grace the events throughout the month-long festivities namely interior and local government secretary Jesse Robredo, representives Lorenzo Tañada III, of Quezon province and Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte, Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza, Senator Loren Legarda, the Kamikazee Band, Jay-ar, Kyla and Nash Aguas.
The city government undertook repair works at the city auditorium and the Aurora park in time for the opening day events.
Some of the awaited festival events include the MVF 4×4 Fun Race and Pamulinawen Motocross exhibition, pageants and searches, drum and lyre contest, industrial fair, Dios ti Agngina concert, traditional games, food fair, Calesa parade, street pageantry and the grandest of all parades, the Pamulinawen grand parade. (Cristina Arzadon – PIA Ilocos Norte)
