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Transformers: Transform and Roll Out! the Movie Merchandise Launch
June 29, 2007, 10am-8pm
Event Center SM Megamall
Mega A Ground floor, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
Jovial and momentous activities have been lined up for year’s celebration of the Dagupan City fiesta on December 1 to 30 carrying the theme “Celebrate Life.”
City fiesta executive committee chair Maria Librada Reyna stressed that all fiesta activities organized by the city government and some private sectors are in line with the city’s vision to make it bigger and better for Dagupeños and Pangasineses here and abroad.
Fiesta-goers will be feted with street parties, concerts, social activities, art exhibits, trade expo, costume and lantern parades, cultural shows, drum and bugle exhibitions, fireworks display, various talent competitions, among others.
To contribute to the festive mood and colorful theme of the fiesta, a search for the best Dagupan fiesta PUJ, tricycle and calesa will be launched on December 7. The entries will parade the entire stretch of the downtown area during the Lim-mewawa caravan, a citywide fiesta motorcade, on December 16.
On the same day, the multi-awarded University of Luzon drum and bugle corp will have its exhibition.
A grand fiesta parade dubbed “Pakislapan” featuring the participants of the lantern and costume competition will enthrall the crowd on December 22.
Free concert performances by the country’s hottest rock bands Sponge Cola and Calla Lily will entertain Dagupeños on December 14, 7pm, at the People’s Astrodome.
On December 19, high school students from public and private schools will outperform each other during the Inter high school cheerdance competition at the Malimgas Market.
A dance festival and cultural show is slated on December 22 at the People’s Astrodome followed by Himig Pasko, a grand choral competition, on the 23rd at the city plaza.
On the other hand, Dagupan fiesta is not just about pleasure but it also serves as a venue for reunions among various clans and organizations in the city, such as: Patrima Night (Dec.17), Barangay Health Workers Day (Dec17), Banker’s Night (Dec. 19), Senior Citizens Night (Dec.20), MADAVFE Night (Dec21), SK Night (Dec.21), Educator’s Night (Dec. 22), Pankakasakey na Sangkakanayon (Dec.23), Barangay Night (Dec. 27), DCNHS Alumni Homecoming Night (Dec. 28), Pawil Dagupan Night (December 29), Dalton Clan Night (Dec. 29), and Rotary Night (Dec. 30).
The celebration of the annual fiesta is in honor of St. John the Evangelist, the city’s patron saint whose feast day is December 26. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Dagupan City’s competitiveness and performance continue to improve over the years based on the overall rating given by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center during its roadshow presentation on the city’s state of competitiveness on October 5.
Out of the ten most competitive small-sized cities, Dagupan scored the highest in quality of human resources and third in infrastructure.
From a 5.80 rating in 2003, the AIM team said that the city has increased its level of competitiveness to a 6.25 rating based on its 2005 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP).
”With the participation of our citizenry, Dagupan City will become even more competitive in the years to come,” said Mayor Lim in his welcome remarks.
The AIM team, led by program manager of AIM policy center Leah Umali, presented the 10 strongest indicators that contributed to the city’s high level of competitiveness, as: average rent of commercial space, number of tertiary educational institutions, number of vocational institutions, number of banks and lending institutions, incidence of theft per 100,000 population, hospital beds per 100,000 population, adequate phone signals, connecting to telephone lines from other service providers is easy, rest and recreational activities are adequate and internet service providers are adequate.
Umali also cited Dagupan as one of the best implementors of participative governance where the local government unit, non-government organizations and the private sector adhere to a common vision.
However, Lim said that the city government is more concerned with the factors that pulled the ratings of the city because it ranked 12th in both dynamism of local economy and responsiveness of local government, 16th in quality of life, 19th in linkages and accessibility, and 31st in the cost of doing business.
”We shall dig deeper into these factors in order to improve our rating,” Lim stressed.
The roadshow, which is part of AIM’s Philippine cities competitiveness ranking project, gathered government officials, city hall employees, professionals, businessmen, non-government organizations, the religious sector, academic institutions, banking and medical institutions, civic organizations and the media sector.
After the presentation, an open forum that aired various concerns of the different sectors was conducted by the AIM team. Leziel T. Cayabyab
Dagupan City’s preparation in staging the 2006 Dagupan City fiesta is in full swing as the calendar of activities that are worth the attention and visit not only from local guests but international tourists as well are already lined up for this year’s celebration.
According to Coun. Librada “Dada” Reyna, 2006 fiesta hermana mayor, this year’s celebration will not only focus on the major events done each year but will also highlight worthwhile activities for Dagupeño children and their families since the fiesta coincides with the Christmas season.
Reyna bared that this year’s theme “Celebrate Life” will feature various events ranging from social, educational, economic, cultural, sports and religious activities.
She said that this year’s celebration promises to be a globally spectacular event through a series of activities that include the trade expo, family carnival, singing contest, dance festival, photo contest, sportsfest, beauty pageant, garden show, car show, street party, acrobatic show, dog show, cheerdance competition, fluvial parade, street parade, lantern and costume parade, live bands, cultural entertainments, homecomings, fireworks display, among others.
”We want to let our guests, especially Dagupeños, know that aside from witnessing the traditional events, they will also experience new and exciting activities,” Reyna pointed out.
In connection with the preparation of the fiesta celebration, the hermana mayor said she started meeting with the chairpersons of various events committee in as early as June 28.
”We will not be able to stage all these activities without the support of the community and the private sector,” she stressed.
The month-long celebration of the city fiesta is slated on December 1 to 30. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
The sister city relationship between Dagupan City and Iwata, Japan ushered in a new phase of relations after Iwata City officials visited Mayor Benjamin Lim anew on September 13 to discuss the possibility of economic, cultural and educational exchanges.
”They came to Dagupan not only to renew ties but to discuss the possibility of exchanges between businessmen, Rotary clubs and student exchanges,” said Mayor Lim.
Lim noted that the sister city relationship between Dagupan and Iwata almost disappeared after the Marcos regime.
He further added that the bilateral relations entered in a new era after the city government of Iwata invited Mayor Lim along with five high school students to attend the celebration of their 30th anniversary of sisterhood ties on July 27 to 30 this year.
It was learned that Lim invited the presidents and past presidents of various Rotary Clubs based in the city to join the discussion that is expected to include their involvement in the establishment of a business partnership between the two cities.
The bilateral talks dwelled on the interest of both cities to establish a study exchange program for high school students.
Both cities agreed to study thoroughly the planned educational exchange program before deciding on its eventual approval.
Lim said that once approved, the qualified high school Dagupeño students will be sent to Iwata during their school vacation period from April to May.
“Just like the Milpitas study exchange program, this is another venue for the Dagupeño students to observe the academic environment and educational system of Japan as well as experience the culture of Japanese students,” Lim stressed.
The Japanese officials informed Lim that they have already visited Dagupan City five years ago. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
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