Fiesta in the City showcases Oton's pride
Tribu Nakatundan of Oton's Katagman Festival
The municipality of Oton was the highlight of the opening of the Fiesta in the City at SM City Iloilo last Monday.
The program started with a presentation of Tribu Nakatundan of Oton's Katagman Festival, followed by speeches from several public officials.
Vice Mayor Elect Jed Patrick Mabilog
and Province of Iloilo 's Mario Nillos
observe a hablon weaver of Oton
Vice Mayor Elect Jed Patrick Mabilog congratulated the participants in this successful opening.
"It is important that we celebrate and hold festivals to attract tourists, job opportunities and entrepreneurs," Mabilog said. He also enjoined stakeholders to support the festivals in order to make the region more popular.
Oton Mayor Carina Flores, Iloilo City
Tourism Officer Ben Jimena and Vice
Mayor Elect Jed Patrick Mabilog during
the slicing of the biggest buko pie by
Nang Palang's of Oton.
Mario Nillos, provincial planning officer of the Province of Iloilo , informed the guests that the province alone has more than 20 festivals. He assured them that the provincial government works closely with the city government. "There is no truth to stories that we are feuding," he said.
DOT 6 Director Edwin Trompeta reiterated that the Fiesta in the City is a showcase of culture, services, creations, food, music and dances of the Ilonggos. "This showcase has presented a prelude to what we have here," he said.
DOT 6 Director Edwin Trompeta, Oton
Mayor Elect Vincent Flores, Oton Mayor
Carina Flores, Gemma Lee, Iloilo Vice
Mayor Elect Jed Patrick Mabilog and
Iloilo Tourism Officer Ben Jimena
He said that in the region alone, there are 232 festivals.
Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena said that being hailed as the festival capital of the country is a big challenge to everybody. "We should live up to that challenge," he said.
After the speeches, Oton's biggest buko pie made by Nang Palang's was sliced by the invited guests and were eaten by the shoppers.