Friday, April 27, 2012

Pistang Balangueño captures tourists and businesses



CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, April 27 (PIA) – The annual Pistang Balangueño of
this city has “evolved” not only into a tourism magnet but also as a lure to various
businesses in putting up shows to capture the masses, a top official disclosed.

“This festival in honor of St. Joseph is a promotion and advertisement of the city
itself and for the tourism likewise,” said city administrator Rudy De Mesa. He
explained that the real feast of the city’s patron is on March 19 but was moved to
April 28 as the former date occasionally concurs with Lent.

De Mesa said the residents of Balanga have started to get involved in the
celebration following the administration of Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III that
changed the former week-long celebration into a month-long extravaganza since
2008.

Various sectors were represented in the festival including the police, women,
market vendors and tricycle drivers among others who were given one night each
to perform.

Themed “Balik Saya Kada Dekada,” the Pistang Balangueño 2012 engaged the
sectors of bank, senior citizens, third sex, barangay enforcers, and businesses.

“The cooperation in the fiesta is great. The constituents are involved with the
activities they look up to yearly rather than going outside the city,” De Mesa said.

With this crowd support, De Mesa disclosed that business stakeholders have
continued rendering sponsorships to festival programs which minimized the cost of
operations and show prizes.

He said the “feeling of belongingness” was already established among private
businesses which provided shows like Gabi ng Ocampos Metromall, SMB Night and
Gabi ng Galeria Victoria.

“The festival draws up a lot of tourists. Bataan is a peninsula, covered with water.
So this festival should be the reason why they should come here,” he added.

Tonight, the coronation of the Mutya ng Lungsod ng Balanga will be held. On April
27, cultural shows La Torre and Serenata will be staged; on April 28, a battle of the
bands will be organized by UP Tangway and Republique Art; and on April 29 is the
Gabi ng Galeria Victoria. (CLJD/JMG-PIA 3)

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