Mayor Edwin “Edsa” Santiago and Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin unfurl the calendar of activities for Kaganapan 2020 in front of city hall on Monday. Photo by Ashley Manabat
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The month long “Kaganapan 2020” kicked off at the city hall here on Monday in celebration of this capital city’s 19th cityhood charter ratification.
With the theme “Fernandinong Abe-abe, Kabiayang Manawa at Matibe” the festivities will culminate on Feb. 28 at the Heroes Hall with the Employees’ Day and launching of the Sportsfest.
Mayor Edwin “Edsa” D. Santiago and Vice Mayor Jimmy T. Lazatin led the unveiling of the activities that will pay tribute to the local culture and heritage.
Kaganapan 2020 Executive Committee chairman Architect Hermel Gulapa said the festivities will have “more heart and genuine concern, and not only progress” as he invited Fernandinos to join in the celebrations.
For his part, Santiago underscored the true meaning of Kaganapan 2020 as a form of thanksgiving for all the blessings and concern that Fernandinos gave the city in the 19 years of cityhood.
“Ing Kaganapan pasasalamat ya bangkanita detang ngeni makikilala itang gagawan da pupunuan taya ing ciudad ing kultura at pupunuan taya naman itnang pangatau tamu, pami saupsaup, pami abe-abe (The Kaganapan is a thanksgiving so that the works of the people today will be known that they are fulfilling the city and culture and also fulfilling our humanity, our cooperation and togetherness),” the mayor said.
Among the activities for Kaganapan 2020 are: Teachers’ Heroism Day on Jan. 30; Citywide Clean-up Day on Feb. 1; Central Luzon Book Fair City on Feb. 7; Job Fair and Bazaar on Feb. 8; Kasalan king Balen on Feb. 13; and the Architecture Quiz Bee at the University of Assumption and the Refill Revolution at the Sto. Rosario basketball court on Feb. 21.
It can be recalled that the town officially became a component city on Feb. 4, 2001 following the ratification of Republic Act 8990 in a plebiscite from the previous day, making it the 99th city in the Philippines.
Dr. Rey Aquino was the city’s first mayor.
