Mammoth crowd at the ‘Tigtigan’ festival in Angeles City last year.
ANGELES CITY – At least 70,000 people are expected to join the upcoming annual street party here started 19 years ago by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to liven up the businesses affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
Pamintuan, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and Fiestang Kuliat Committee Vice Chairman Alexander Cauguiran will lead the “Tigtigan, Terakan keng Dalan” festival along McArthur Highway, Balibago on October 28 and 29.
The two nights of fun and party featuring top bands in the country is a culmination of the month-long Fiesta Celebration of this highly urbanized city.
Pamintuan disclosed that Japanese officials of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) observed the street party last year and “wondered why our event broke all sales of beer and drinks recorded by San Miguel.”
There were at least 70,000 people last year and we expect more this year, said Pamintuan.
Francis Sison, communications officer of the SMB plant in the nearby City of San Fernando, said the ‘Tigtigan’ “is indeed the top seller of beer drinks compared to other popular festivals in the country.”
He declined to say the exact volume of beers consumed but said “it’s a minimum of 70 thousands bottles based on ticket sales last year.”
The entrance fee is P80 per person and together with it is one free SMB beer.
Herminia Pamintuan, wife of the mayor, said they had invited Allan Pineda Lindo Jr. of this city, better known as apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas, to perform live either Friday or Saturday.
Frankie Villanueva, president of the Metro Clark Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MACCII), said “it’s pretty difficult to create a signature festival such as the Tigtigan and we must be happy to have one.”
“The festival is good for the tourism industry and it’s a welcome development. We congratulate Mayor Pamintuan for starting and continuing the popular festival,” said Villanueva.
In an interview, Pamintuan said he had designed the Tigtigan in 1992 from the same street party in Olongapo City, which also affected by Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption.
He added that Cauguiran and Sison, who was then a CIO staff of the lawyer-mayor, had taught about the name of the festival.
“The Tigtigan has since evolved from just a night of music and dancing. Other cultural events have been introduced since last year, which marked the comeback of Pamintuan as mayor.
Because of its success, and to accommodate other cultural and fashion-related events, the festival has been held for two consecutive days, the last Friday and Saturday of October, capping the month-long Fiestang Kuliat,” said the city government in a statement.
