(FIESTA. Members of the Pyestang Fernandino executive committee do the Fernandino First salute after unveiling events for this year’s celebrations. Photo by Bong Lacson)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A month-long of thanksgiving for the bounties bestowed upon the capital city, “Pyestang Fernandino” kicked off aptly with the theme “Pamagpasalamat, Pamibuklud, Mitmung Tula uli ning Bie Masaplala.”
As in years past, culture and heritage take the centerstage in the celebration anchored on the feast day of the city patron St. Ferdinand on May 30.
“Our celebration this year is aimed at showcasing the culture and values of the Fernandino, even as we offer thanksgiving for the many blessings that we have received, we are receiving, and we will be receiving,” said Pyestang Fernandino Executive Committee chairman Alex Magsino at Monday’s press conference at the city hall. Magsino took the occasion to hail the partnership between the city government and the private sector made manifest in various accomplishments in the city, with the holding of the fiesta celebrations as showcase.
“Our activities this year, just like in the many events that we held, were formed through the suggestions of the members from the private sector and the city government and so the success of our Pyestang Fernandino is a success for the city’s public-private partnership,” he said. With the celebrations coinciding with the observance of the National Heritage Month, greater emphasis was given local heritage, said city tourism officer Ching Pangilinan, citing as among highlights the Heritage Open House Tours and Kalesa Tours, National Flag Day, Seminar on Flag and Heraldic Code and the unveiling of the bust monument of local hero Sotero Baluyut.
Baluyut, a pensionado sent by the US colonial government for study in the USA served in various capacities as Pampanga governor, senator, and public works and communications secretary.
Along with the unveiling of his bust, the rehabilitated eponymous Baluyut Bridge will be inaugurated.
This year’s celebration will still feature the “usual” fiesta events of inter-barangay basketball and volleyball competitions, Little Miss Fernandina, Mutya at Lakan Ning San Fernando, Miss Gay Fernandino Fiesta Queen, El Circulo Fernandino, Ultimate Fernandino Frisbee Open, and variety shows and battle of the bands.
A new event is the 1st Pyestang Fernandino Esports Tournament dubbed the “The Road to E-Sports World Cup” in DOTA 2 and Mobile Legends tournaments to be held on May 21 and 25.
“We organized an e-sports tournament to provide a training ground for our potential and even professional games since we saw how e-sports is now being recognized internationally and is even included in this coming SEA Games,” Pangilinan said.
San Fernando’s old farming past gets its share of the celebrations with Framers Week highlighted by a Symposium on the Philippine Rice Tarrification.
The city’s ecological efforts find expressing in the “Refill Revolution,” and even man’s best friends will have their day in a seminar for responsible pet ownership with free grooming and trade fairs.
Mall sales are also set this month as part of Pyestang Fernandino.
