ANGELES CITY – For the first time in Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. administration, the streets of Angeles City is once again alive for the two-night Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (TTKD) 2019 grandest street party.
In his opening message, Mayor Lazatin reminisced the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption, when the long stretch of Barangay Balibago was damaged by the catastrophic disaster.
“Twenty-eight years ago, this stretch of the business district of Balibago was a desolate landscape enveloped by thick volcano sediments brought by the eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo or Apo Namalyari,” he said.
From the deep slumber then, the Mayor added, the City in 1992 was brought back into life during the first TTKD celebration amid the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the Government in the lahar-stricken towns.
According to the Mayor, it was the rebirth of Angeles City. To date, he said, with the same tenacity, resiliency, and revelry – the City is back on his feet where the month of October here showcases the best of Angeleños, a celebration of triple religious festivals – the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary or La Naval, and the Feast of the Apung Mamacalulu (Merciful Lord).
“TTKD is the culmination of the festive month of October, and one of the major highlights of the City’s Fiestang Kuliat celebration, where thousands of partygoers are expected,” he furthered.
Mayor Lazatin also thanked everyone’s help for the event, especially the JCI Angeles City Culiat, the City Government long-time partner for TTKD, for their support to boost the economy and tourism industry here.
“TTKD is the unyielding spirit of the Kapampangan people, particularly the Angeleños who most felt the double whammy that hit our people – the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions and the untimely departure of the US forces at the former Clark Air Base,” he said.
Moreover, the Mayor also reminded the authorities that more than the fun, public safety is the topmost priority, as well as to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.
“Let us also not forget the essence of our religious festivals, on why we have to celebrate with sumptuous Kapampangan dishes, drinking, and back-to-back concerts,” the Mayor stressed.