Himamaylan City announced they will be hosting their first Himaya Festival from March 25 to 31. According to Mayor Raymund Tongson, Jr., “[The] Himaya Festival is celebrated in thanksgiving for the gift of cityhood and the prosperity and progress that comes with it.”
Himamaylan was converted into a city on March 31, 2001 following the signing of RA 9028 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
According to a release: “The Himaya Festival will integrate, for the first time, the rich history of Himamaylan and the strategic reef-to-ridge geography of one of the oldest settlements on Negros Island.”
Among the events planned include a Mardi Gras-inspired float parade; performances featuring Patik Kawayan, a percussion instruments made out of local bamboo; and a Shellfish Festival to highlight the locality’s coastal resources. (PR)