VICTORIAS City celebrated its 23rd cityhood through the Kadalag-an Festival 2021, highlighting the inauguration of the Victorias Heritage Square located at the city's public plaza on March 21.
The celebration was simple yet meaningful, which kicked off with the holding of the thanksgiving mass and caravan along the city, showcasing various floats.
The simple program at the plaza was graced by Negros Occidental Third District Representative and Victorias City Cultural and Heritage Council Honorary Adviser Jose Francisco Benitez, City and barangay officials, department heads, City employees, Kadalag-an Queens, and guests from various organizations.
In his festival message, Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca greeted all Victoriahanons a happy charter anniversary and encouraged everyone to continue following the Covid-19 minimum health protocols, especially that we are now in the midst of a global pandemic.
He also shared Victorias' history, declaration of its cityhood in 1998, the LGU's accomplishments and developments, and future plans.
The inauguration of the Victorias Heritage Square has highlighted the event with the unveiling of historical markers and burying or sealing of the memory box containing important present-day and pandemic mementos, memorabilia, souvenirs, letters, notes, and other valuable items that embody our generation and current way of living, contributed by the public and collected by the City.
The memory box dedicated for our future Victoriahanons shall be opened after 50 years during the 73rd charter anniversary on March 21, 2071.
At exactly 12 high noon, Mayor Palanca sounded the improvised alarm system or replica of unexploded American ordnance from World War II utilized as a bell at the Public Plaza reminding the citizens of the olden times.
A switch-on ceremony of the Estado and Estrella streetlights was held in the evening followed by a video presentation of Victorias' Cityhood, the Evolution of Kadalag-an Festival, Winners Cut and a fireworks display to celebrate the annual charter.
Kadalag-an Festival Dancers and Asia Pacific International Arts Festival Grand Winner Kecemere Shaye Ballesteros performed during the program.