AFTER a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns the crisis brought, the City Government of San Fernando is pushing in May this year the grand "Pyestang Fernandino," which, this time, highlights the resilience of the community through a limited and controlled celebration both face-to-face and virtual.
With the theme revolving around the Fernandinos' triumph over challenges and the spirit of resiliency and perseverance, the "Pyesta 2022" will center on people participation involving different sectors, including arts, culture and heritage advocates, microentrepreneurs, farmers, youth, kalesa drivers, livelihood and skills training experts, whom outgoing Mayor Edwin Santiago referred to as "pandemic response drivers."
"Although it is not full blast like the pre-pandemic times at hindi talaga tayo makapaglarga ng todo, the City Government has decided to go ahead with the celebration as it symbolizes Fernandinos' resiliency over crisis and as part of our efforts towards economic recovery. More important is that we rekindle culture that should not be forgotten even during the pandemic as it is part of every Fernandinos way of life and thanksgiving to the triumphs we had so far," he said during Monday's (May 2) press conference, which coincided with the commemoration of the late Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos' 80th death anniversary.
"As the Kapampangan hero late Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos said, we must not let the opportunity to win against adversity pass by and the Pyesta 2022 is one way we could unite and foster that spirit of resiliency," added Santiago.
For his part, Pyestang Fernandino 2022 Chairperson Engr. Michael Quizon Jr. said the technical working group, together with the Incident Command, has a fallback in case a surge in cases is noted this month, as events for the celebration are throughought may.
"The events and activities are spread across the city so we can bring to Fernandinos services. The hybrid celebration also has a fallback in case of a surge in Covid cases in the city occurs," he said.
Meanwhile, City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan said the opening of two major infrastructure projects of the Santiago administration will be underscored in the celebration: the blessing and inauguration of the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center at the former Paskuhan Village and inaugural of the City Market Plaza. (JTD)