CARAGAN FEST. Mayor Cris Garbo presents schedule of events in celebration of Mabalacat City’s signature festival — Caragan — at a press conference Friday also attended by candidates to the Queen of Mabalacat City pageant. With Garbo are June Magbalot, festival coordnator, and Rosen Paquia. Photo by Bong Lacson
MABALACAT CITY — The month-long celebration of the Fiestang Caragan 2020 – the “grandest festival” in Central Luzon will kick off on January 18.
City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo said this year’s celebration will be full of activities, from street and stage dance performances, as well as trade fairs, bazaars, and concerts, to the coronation of Queen Mabalacat 2020.
Coinciding with the Fiestang Caragan 2020 kick-off will be the pre-pageant of Queen Mabalacat, also on Jan. 18, while the coronation night will be held on Feb. 1 at Xevera Lot Only, Barangay Tabun.
Pretty maids all in a row. Candidates for the queen of Mabalacat City strike their best pose at their presentation to media Friday. Photo by Bong Lacson
The month-long fiesta celebration, according to the mayor, will be capped by the Caragan Festival Street Dance Competition and Awarding Ceremonies slated on February 21.
Among the activities that would highlight the city’s rich culture and heritage are Fiestang Caragan Indacan 2020 -MESAA’s Rigodon De Honor (Feb. 8) at the Asean Convention Center; Basketball Showdown 2020 -PBA Legends vs. MCG & Celebrity Guests (Feb. 12) at the Mawaque Covered Court; Bazaar/Tiangge (Feb. 13 to 21) Xevera Lot Only; Rak En Roll 2020 (Singing, Jammin’, Food Festival) on Feb 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 at Xevera Lot Only; Makasining 2020 “National Arts Month” (Feb 17 to 21) at Xevera Lot Only; Aeta Festival (Feb 17 to 21) at the Clark Picnic Grounds; Fiestang Kababaihan 2020: Women Power Day 2020 (Zumba Competition) on Feb. 17 at Xevera Lot Only; Job Fair (Feb. 17) at Xevera Lot Only; Farmer’s Day (Feb. 18) at Xevera Lot Only; Got Talent 2020 “Battle of the Champions” (Feb. 19) at Xevera Lot Only; and Free Dance Interpretation/Showdown 2020 on Feb 19.
The city has been boosting the local tourism industry, which is at the crossroads of various developments, given its proximity to Clark. It also seeks to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Kapampangans, particularly Mabalaquenos.
The festival was named after an Aeta chieftain named “Caragan”, who is said to have founded Mabalacat.
