BALANGA CITY — The city government officially kicked off Monday its 16th Banga Festival, carrying the theme “Banga ng Karunungan, Kasayahan at Kagandahan, Pagyamanin.”
City Tourism Officer Lolit Del Rosario said the objective of the festival is to develop social involvement among Balangueños and to promote tourism in the province of Bataan.
“Let’s improve and develop the things we have in the city. Let’s not waste it. Instead, let’s flourish and enrich our resources,” Del Rosario emphasized.
Among the activities lined up include Street-Dance Competition, Natatanging Ama, Search for Ms. OFW, Dangal Balangueño, Zumbakero, Ginang Balangueña, Mutya ng Balanga, and nightly programs.
Del Rosario also mentioned how these activities increase the number of tourists not just in the city but to neighboring municipalities in the province as well.
“By encouraging tourists to visit the city to witness an event like this, of course they will be also fascinated and curious about other tourist destinations in the province in which we gladly refer,” she said.
The festival also serves as a commemoration of the beginnings of Balanga City, which derived its name from “banga.”
It is a local kind of pot made of special clay used for cooking or fetching water. (CLJD/MJSD-PIA 3)