THE “Pasalamat Festival” reeled off on Friday in Pagadian City with variety of activities jointly sponsored by the City Government and the Catholic Church.

Pagadian City Councilor Bienvenido Culve, the 2016 Pasalamat Festival steering committee chairman, said the activities on the first day included Drag Race and the re-enactment on the arrival of the Sto. Niño image in the city.

The re-enactment, was held at the Pagadian City wharf and was be followed by the Street Dance procession towards the Sto. Niño Parish Church and the Novena mass sponsored by the City Government.

Culve said the City Government through the City Tourism Office and the City Tourism Council will host nightly variety shows at the city plaza.

The shows will be preceded by the Dancing Fountain show.

He said the other activities will include the 2016 Regatta. Big cash prizes are at stake for the motorboat race.

There will be also competitions on street dancing, triathlon, “scubasurero,” and ball collection. The winners will receive cash prizes.

This year’s Pasalamat Festival is anchored on the theme “Senior Santo Niño: Tuburan sa Gugma, Kalooy ug Kaaghop nga Nagpasinati sa Panalangin ug Grasya (Señior Santo Niño: The Source of Love, Mercy, and Kindness that bring Protection and Blessings.”

The festival culminates on January 17, the feast day of Sto. Niño, the patron saint of Pagadian City.