San Miguel 2006 fiesta showcases value of unity
The annual town fiesta of San Miguel, Iloilo kicked off last May 1, an event which Mayor Gregorio Villarico said has become an "occasion for showcasing the social, cultural and religious values that have been sustained and nurtured by San Migueleños since time immemorial."
The town fiesta is in honor of the town's patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel who once had made an apparition during the early days of the town's existence in order to drive away bandits who wanted to ransack the parish church convent. The terrified bandits fled, thus saving the convent and its precious possessions from the attackers.
San Miguel is a member of the Metro Iloilo Development Council.
A caravan served as the opening salvo for the 8-day celebration which will culminate on May 8 and has for its theme: Simbahan, Panguluhan, Katilingban Padayon sa Paghugpong para sa Kauswagan."
Villarico said the theme aptly embodies the need for San Migueleños to continue showing their reverence and thanksgiving to their patron saint, "who is our never-ending source of spiritual strength in times of trouble, our fearless protector in times of danger, and our untiring intercessor for more graces from Above."
He thanked the members of the San Miguel Local Government Unit Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which is spearheading this year's festivities, as well as various participating government agencies such as the Department of Education (elementary and secondary) and sectors of the community for their contributions to the celebration.
The opening day also featured a summer disco derby sponsored by SM-LGU-MPC. This was followed by Summer Hot & Crazy Cinemas, also by SM-LGU-MPC, on May 2, High School Nite sponsored by Leonora Salapantan National High School headed by Principal John Torilla on May 4 and Coronation Rites of Little Miss San Miguel sponsored by DepEd Elementary headed by District Supervisor Ninnette D. Ira and San Miguel Central Elementary School Officer-in-Charge Celsa Talite on May 5.
The grand finals of the San Miguel (SM) Star Videoke Challenge Season II sponsored by the local government unit is the highlight for May 6 and the Ms. Summer Look 2006 sponsored by the federation of local farmers and 4-H Club for May 7.
Special masses, coronation rites of Her Majesty Queen Julie Ann Fortuno Arcenas, this year's fiesta queen, and binayle sa plaza will be the culminating highlights of the fiesta.
(PIA-JSC)