CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Month-long activities aimed at showcasing the gratitude of Fernandinos for an abundant and progressive 2017 will mark this year’s celebration of “Pyestang Fernandino.”
During the unveiling of calendar activities and press conference yesterday, Mayor Edwin Santiago emphasized that this year’s “Pyestang Fernandino” will be centered on the city’s thanksgiving for last year’s string of achievements and accomplishments.
“There is a lot to be thankful for last 2017. Not only the good harvest of fruits and vegetables of our farmers, but even the simplest things like how our children grew without sickness,” Santiago said.
He added that the city is also thankful in surpassing the struggles it faced in the past year, including heavy rains and floods during the rainy season.
“Our ‘Pyestang Fernandino’ will showcase the unity of Fernandinos in gratifying and thanking God and everyone who had their share and joined us in our journey in 2017,” he said.
Aside from the thanksgiving, Santiago said that the fiesta also seeks to celebrate and promote the culture and tradition of this city through activities reliving its history.
He noted of this year’s fiesta celebration theme “Pyestang Fernandino Pagmasusian, Kulturang Fernandino Pakamalan” where the month-long activities are anchored.
“Many would say that we must not live in the past but I always believe that there can be no future if there is no past, and so with the ‘Pyestang Fernandino’, we will simultaneously celebrate our culture and tradition, and the development that our city continues to experience,” he said.
Cultural activities lined-up for the Pyestang Fernandino include unveiling of the Metropolitan Cathedral City Marker (May 17), unveiling of Fernando Hizon Ocampo monument (May 30), Flores de Mayo (May 19), National Heritage Month Celebration (May 18-19), seminar on the flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (May 22), and the 120th Philippine Independence Day Civic Military Parade (June 12).
A citywide Fernandino Farmers’ Week will be celebrated on May 15 to 18, Pyestang Fernandino Trade Fair and Diskwento Caravan on May 21 to 26 and Pyestang Fernandino Tiangge on May 21 to 30 at the Poblacion area.
The Mutya and Lakan ning San Fernando swimsuit competition is also slated on May 16 and coronation night on May 29, while the Little Miss Fernandina Pre-Pageant is on May 21 and coronation morning on May 26, Mr. Body Builder on May 19, and Miss Gay Fernandina on May 25.
A Pyestang Fernandino off-road challenge is also set on May 26, a JCI San Fernando Cabalen Motor Show on May 26 to 27, The Heritage Cafe Bubble Fun Run on May 27, SB Music Academy’s “Simply The Best Season 8 on May 21, and Ultimate Frisbee Open on June 2.