WE ARE in a new normal.
Proof of getting back to normalcy, aside from the Alert level 1 that is now declared to cover Pampanga until March 15 this year, is the return of public events -- the Caragan Festival in Mabalacat City is one of them.
Although moved from original schedule it used to have from many years ago (first week of February in time for the observation of the town fiesta), Mabalacat City officials chose an almost impeccable timing. From February 27 to March 8, it coincides with the lowering of alert level in most parts of the country. Add to this is the fact that the city has had very minimal if not zero new active cases for several days now.
I can only see how Mayor Cris Garbo make those decisive moves insofar as balancing health with tourism. In 2020, he courageously allowed the staging the event when the Covid was just starting to strike fear. And no one got Covid from participating and watching the event which then had the street parade.
It was shelved in 2021 for obvious reasons. It is now back although in a modified version and much simpler in scope. There will be no more big delegations of street dancers known as tribes. The competitive and interpretative dances will be there but will strictly adhere to health protocols.
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I was physically present last Sunday to observe the protocols and festival director June Magbalot made sure that the event will be compliant to each and every rule in the health playbook. He even had to procure from his personal money additional alcohol, sanitizers and body temperature devices. It was part of making sure that all will go well. He has event staff manning the gates to check for vaccination cards while marshals are all over to remind people to observe social distancing.
Festival chairperson Councilor Winwin Garbo also opened the event with very simple ribbon cutting rites attended only by few people, mostly city government employees, who helped out in setting up the first day.
Councilor Winwin, who is a shoo-in for Board Member in the first district, also came by to see for herself the displays for the photo contest. She and June also chatted with Sining Mabalacat artists at a makeshift gallery in one corner that the latter approved to be built for painters, sculptors and the like. They were joined by Dodjie Aguinaldo, Rod Siron, Rommel Siron, Ninoy Canlas, Jonathan dela Cruz, Ermie Dizon, Nadwinner Manalo.
June and Councilor Winwin are both excited to stage once again the Queen Mabalacat beauty pageant -- an event that has always been anticipated with its elaborate production numbers that go with a certain narrative. This time, it is going to be K-pop inspired that also heralds the women heroes and victors in the pandemic and the Olympics.
Congratulations to festival organizers, including teachers and students.
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Talk about returns, it is not only Caragan Festival that is making a comeback.
Rolando “Rox” Pena, a three-termer councilor from 2010 to 2019 is surely a welcome return to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mabalacat City. If there is one professional, a leader, a crusader, a public servant who so richly deserves a spot in the 10 City Council seats, that is no one else but Rox.
An environmentalist by avocation, a civil engineer by profession and a servant-leader by conviction, Rox is one of the rare city leaders who knows the complete spectrum -- the common problems of the masa (jobs, livelihood), the technicals of environment protection (air, water, land), the intricacies of legislation, the challenges of service, and many more.
He is multi-awarded, with the MOKA for Environment, topping the long list. He is a good communicator also (I can spot one from miles away as I am a Comms major and practitioner too). Not only because he has a radio program and that he writes opinion articles for this paper but he also has a Masters in Development Communication at UP. On top of him being sensible, approachable and enamored to the people.
Even after completing the full three terms, Rox did not let anyone down those who came to him for help. Stop he did not in giving out free school supplies and use of tents especially in wakes and other occasions. He shelled out some personal money too during the height of lockdowns brought about by the pandemic.
Once back in the City Council, he will work for the SMEs to be able to get back on their feet. This is something where other councilorables would not dare focus on. But Rox, a former president and chairman of Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce, is aiming to get local small traders to rise from the mire caused by the pandemic.
Rox has also chosen to be on the winning side of Mayor Cris Garbo where the outstanding good work and charisma of the reelectionist mayor can rub-off to an already sterling performance and track record of splendid public service in and out of the halls of the City Council.