SI Anthony John Apura gradwado sa Political Science sa University of San Carlos ug kon wala kuno siya moundang sa kursong abogasiya, basin abogado na siya. “Akong ka-batch katong 100% passing, kon nipadayon ko mada ko sa kahig,” matod niya dungan sa iyang katawa. Karon naa nakatutok ang kanhi konsehal sa bonggang kapistahan sa Carcar nga iyang gibunyagan og “Baptizo.” Anthony John Apura, Ssssuper Ka!
Unsay naka-inspire nimo nga mohimo og mga bonggang kalingawan sa Carcar?
Before, when I was in college, moingon akong classmates, “Uy, fiesta sa Carcar. Unsay inyong events?” Moana ko, “Ha? Ah wala!” Ingon ana gani. I didn’t take it as an insult but rather a challenge for me. That’s why, last year, we started with (a concert of) Bamboo and Baptizo.
Unsa may nahitabo?
Hapit to wala madayon ang Bamboo kay bagyo, signal no. 1. But na-surprised ko kay napuno gihapon ang venue. I told my group that we must have done something good. Ato ning ipadayon. So, this year, I tried to make it better. Actually, from Nov. 23 to Nov. 26, star-studded gyud ang Carcar.
Kinsay celebrity guests ninyo?
Karong Nov. 23 dunay show silang Daryl Ong, Jay-R ug Wacky Kiray, to be followed by a concert by South Border, True Faith and Joey G of Side A on Nov. 24, while on Nov. 25 is the Baptizo Music Festival. The Motocross Freestyle Nightrace is happening on Nov. 26 with four celebrity guests, who are joining the race, including Jason Abalos, Jordan Herrera and Ahron Villaflor. All shows are happening at 9 p.m.
Libre ni sa publiko?
It’s all for free except sa Nov. 25, diin dunay 12 DJs nga mo-jam sa Baptizo. The tickets are priced at P800 and P400 but we’re selling it 50% off during the prelude party on Nov. 17 at the Octagon Super Club.
Ngano gitawag siya’g “Baptizo”?
It comes from the Greek word “baptism.” Basically, in our culture, when you baptized a baby, we introduced him or her to the world and God. So, Baptizo, technically means baptizing the people of Carcar.
Di ba malibog ang mga tawo, duna nay Kabkaban, duna pay Baptizo?
Kabkaban is a dance festival, while Baptizo is a music festival.
How did you convince your father, Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura, to have this kind of event again in your city?
Dugay mi nag-estorya. Actually, after (that tragic incident) sa akong manghod four years ago, among gi-close na sa mga ingon ani nga event ang Carcar. Pero di man sad puwede forever na lang ingon ana. Na-happen to siya because of lack of security.
Unsay inyong security measures karon?
We have prepared some 320 security personnel, including 120 policemen, 30 army, 20 PDEA agents with six bomb and sniffing dogs and 150 tanods.
Dili kaha na traffic kaayo?
Our new City Center, which all our events will be located, dako gyud siya nga area kay lahilahi man ang area sa banda ug sa motorcross and we have a very huge parking space.
Ang City Government ang nibayad sa mga artista?
The City Government of Carcar did not spend any single centavo since we have sponsors and the shows are being produced by another production.
Unsa pa’y ubang kalihukan sa fiesta?
We have a shooting competition (Nov 18 and 19), an amazing acrobat show (Nov. 22), a car show (Nov. 24 and 25) and the first ever Carcar city painting contest that is one of the highlights of Kabkaban Festival nga gi-organized sa LGU sa Carcar government, with cash prizes of P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000. Grabe kaalegre karon ang pista sa Carcar and hopefully, sa umaabot pang mga selebrasyon.