BULACAN COLORS. Street dancers from the Bulacan State University perform during the opening of the annual Singkaban Fiesta in Bulacan yesterday. Photo by Dino Balabo
MALOLOS CITY – Bulacan’s eight-day Singkaban Fiesta kicked off yesterday with less funfare but with more erratic events and activities.
This came as Vice President Jejomar Binay declined the invitation as guest speaker in the annual festivities.
His replacement, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima also failed to come due to busy schedule.
Just the same, the annual eight-day fiesta led by the provincial government went on amid erratic events and activities.
Most noticeable was the lack of coordination with masters of ceremonies and the parade organizers.
The masters of ceremonies stuck with their script but when performers were called, they were nowhere to be found.
The parade was also marked by the provincial government’s austerity measures despite having about P4-billion in annual budget.
Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio said they deliberately used smaller floats to save on expenses.
Earlier, Valerio said that the province’s colorful history and heroism of its people will underline the eight-day Singkaban Fiesta that will end on September 15.
“We would like to recognize and celebrate the province’s colorful history and gallantry of Bulakenyos this year,” said Valerio referring to festivities’ theme, “Bulacan: Masaganang Lalawigang Pinanday ng Kasaysayan at Kabayanihan.”
He said that underlining history and heroism in the annual celebration are keys in further encouraging Bulakenyos to work harder and achieve more.
As a province with more than 3-million population, Bulacan is home to historical events, landmarks and nationally recognized heroes.
Among them are the Cacarong De Sili in Pandi town where the Cacarong Republic was established in 1896; Biak-na-Bato National Park in Donya Remedios Trinidad town where a republic was established in 1897 just before the Pact of Biak-na-Bato;
and the Malolos Republic where the first constitutional democracy in Asia was born in 1899 after then General Emilio Aguinaldo opened the Malolos Congress at Barasoain Church on September 15, 1898.
Bulacan is also home of heroes like the great propagandist Gat Marcelo H. Del Pilar, General Gregorio Del Pilar who died defending Tirad Pass, Mariano Ponce, Pio Valenzuela, Jose Maria Panganiban, General Anacleto Enriquez, General Eusebio Roque, Magat Salamat and many others.
Aside from the above, Bulacan is also home of national artists like Guillermo Tolentino, Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama, Amado V. Hernandez, Gerardo De Leon, Levi Celerio, Virgilio Almario and others.
Valerio said that above personalities are good role models for the younger generation today.
With regards to the festivities, Valerio said that it will be highlighted by exhibits, trade fairs, awards to outstanding Bulakenyos, and showcase of programs of the provincial government.
Singkaban Fiesta is touted as the mother of all fiestas in the province of Bulacan. The word “singkaban” is derived from a famous bamboo arc decoration usually seen in Philippine fiestas but it was given a deeper meaning. It stands for “Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan.”
The fiesta was first initiated by former Gov. Ignacio Santiago in the 70s, but was continued and expanded in the years that followed by former Governors Roberto Pagdanganan, Josefina Dela Cruz, and Joselito Mendoza.
Like last year, this year’s celebrations will take a decided turn under the leadership of Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado who earlier announced his dislike for extravagant programs.
As a result, budget intended for the eight-day annual festivities was slashed to half.
