Saturday, July 28, 2007 Organizers to 'sell' fiesta to the world By Stephen Capillas
WHILE trying to retain its religious and cultural aspects, organizers of this year's Cagayan de Oro fiesta said they will help "sell" this annual event to its visitors and to the world.
During Friday's press conference, officials of fiesta organizer Promote CDO Foundation, City Hall and Smart Telecommunications Inc. emphasized that "branding" the fiesta is crucial for easier recall and identification.
The groups also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signifying Smart Telecommunications Inc. as the official lock-out partner for the 2007 Kagayan Festival, which carries the theme "Cagayan de Oro Awaits You."
"Promote CDO signed a MOA with City Hall for seven years to manage and operate the city fiesta and while we plan and conduct the events, the City Government will provide assistance and the infrastructure for the event," Promote CDO Foundation vice-chairman Ruben Vegafria said.
The group said they are expecting more than 1,000 visitors for the annual fiesta and added that security preparations have been made for the event, including the deployment of more than 500 police officers to provide traffic regulation.
Smart Inc. officials said they will participate in the fiesta by inviting its celebrity endorsers for concerts and other promotional activities related to the fiesta.
Smart is also maintaining a website promoting fiestas in various local government units (LGUs) around the country such as the Kaamulan festival in 2005.
For his part, Councilor and committee chairman Alden Bacal said the City Government will conduct fiesta-related activities like the clean and green campaign and the provision of cadets to perform in parades and other ceremonies.
Core events of the Kagay-an Festival 2007 include the river activities, street dancing competition, Miss Kagay-an Tourism 2007, agro-industrial trade fair, and the Golden Float Parade.
Promote CDO Foundation chairman Rodolfo Meñes said the river activities will involve participation of all barangays lying near the Cagayan de Oro river and emphasize the river as the focal point for the fiesta.
