Friday, August 22, 2008 Townsfolk all set for 'Aldo Ning Minalin'
MINALIN -- It's all systems go for Minaleños as final preparations for the celebration of 394th founding anniversary of this small yet vibrant town on August 26.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Yambao, chairman of Minalin Historical and Cultural Commission, said on Thursday that with few days left before the actual festivities, all sectors are closely coordinating with one another to ensure a smooth and deliberate flow of programs and activities.
Yambao said for this year, the mood will be somewhat different because the program proper will start at 4:30 p.m. unlike in the previous two years when it started at 9:00 a.m.
"The ambiance will definitely be more relaxing," he said.
The yearly celebration took off a few years ago with former Sta. Monica parish priest Rev. Fr. Mark Manabat reinstituting the fluvial parade or "libad" along the river system of the town.
However, it made a complete turnaround in 2006 when Mayor Edgardo Flores pioneered the recognition of Outstanding Minalenos and made the event a three-day celebration.
The following year was also successful owing to the harmonious tandem of the mayor and the vice mayor with strong support from the Municipal Council members, municipal employees, barangay officials, school communities and residents.
The nominees for the Most Outstanding Minaleño Awards (Moma) undergo screening by the Selection Committee. Previous Moma were Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardees lawyer Vicente Aquino and lawyer Restituto and Norberta David. Likewise, Governor Eddie Panlilio was an awardee himself and the guest speaker last year.
Flores and Yambao promised to give Minaleños a fine display of Minalin's best and enjoin them, especially the students and young ones, to witness the festivities which will showcase cultural dances, Kapampangan song renditions and surprise serenade.
Equally-important activities include "salubong," novena-mass and the much-awaited fluvial parade around the tributaries.
"It will be a touch of yesterday's glitz and tomorrow's glamour," he said. (CN)
