TARLAC CITY – The province of Tarlac is celebrating its 144th founding anniversary this week, with several activities lined up from May 22 to 28.
The culmination is on May 28, which is the foundation day itself.
This year’s celebration with a permanent theme “Ganda at Galing…Natural Tarlac” will be the first under the leadership of Gov. Susan Yap.
Yap is also set to lead the activities for the first KanLAHI Festival [Kanlungan ng Lahi] that will pay tribute to the different cultures and people that populate the province.
“It is about time to pay tribute to the different culture and people of our province. Through this KanLAHI festival, they will be properly recognized,” Yap said
On May 28, 1873, the province of Tarlac was formed from the municipalities of Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Pangasinan.
Tarlac first celebrated its founding anniversary in 1999 when the then late Governor Jose “Aping” Yap tapped historians to research on when the province was established.
“We hope that this celebration will inspire our fellow Tarlaqueños to promote our tourism industry and be proud of their heritage,” Yap said.
Activities lined-up for the celebration on May 22 are a holy mass, motorcade, food festival, organic white rice launching, colored chalk competition and battle of the bands; Bloodletting, medical and dental mission, dog show and Tarlaqueño got talent on May 23; Jobs fair, first Gov. Susan Yap inter-town basketball cup, pageant night of the Mutya ng Lalawigang Tarlac and a fireworks display on May 24; Car drifting show, Tarlac national painting contest and sayaw-hataw dance contest on May 25; Palaro ng lahi, legal aid, street dancing competition, variety show with the starts, and a fireworks display on May 26; Color fun run, motor show and car display, a grand parade of float, saya keng dalan street party, Miss Earth Fashion show and a fireworks display on May 27 and on the foundation day itself, the provincial government will commemorate the National flag day and awarding ceremonies, the first Gov. Susan Yap motocross and Mister Tarlac.
This year’s celebration be featured on the daily morning shows Umagang Kay Ganda [ABS-CBN]. A one page supplement will also be printed on the daily broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer.
There are 16 local beauties representing the lone city and 13 municipalities that will vie for the prestigious title Mutya ng Lalawigang Tarlac. They are Princess Nicolas of Camiling, Naoimi Jose Merl Llano of Mayantoc, Jessa May Tiamzon of Paniqui, Jan Lian Claire
Domingo of Tarlac city, Marriane Nicole Lenon, Angelica Pacunayem, Patricia Getty Capiral of Capas, Jaynee Adelinef Manguerra of Anao, Marianette Gatchalian of Ramos, Diana Rose Valdez of Pura, Jezreel Kaye Capiral of Concepcion, Debora Chantengco of Sta. Ignacia, Ruth Natalie Caledas of Victoria, Nicole Ronquillo also of Capas, Krizzia Mae Lazo of San Jose and Sandrianne Esquiola likewise of Concepcion.
Famous movie and television celebrities will grace the much awaited variety show and the first Mister Tarlac will be crowned.