Given every reason to celebrate, Mandaluyong, better known as the “Tiger City” of Philippines has lined up a 12-day significant and funfilled activities to mark its 67th Liberation and 18th Cityhood Anniversary on Feb. 9.
“The grandeur of this celebration is parallel to the bountiful harvest the city is getting in terms of accomplishments and effective delivery of basic services to our constituents,” said Mayor Benhur Abalos, who was recently bestowed with the prestigious TOPLEAP award in public governance.
In 2011 alone, Mandaluyong received the Presidential Award for Most Child Friendly City in the Philippines (Highly Urbanized City Category), the 1st General Miguel Malvar Special Award for outstanding service, people empowerment and nation building, Kabalikat Award for Local Government Unit-NCR and the 2010 Green Banner Award (Best in Nutrition Program Management and Implementation).
“While we look at our historic past with great pride, we also look forward to the future with sense of optimism,” stressed Abalos.
Once a barrio of Sta.Ana, Mandaluyong had become an important venue for katipuneros in the early part of the Spanish rule. It was liberated in 1945 and from a sleepy municipality, it was transformed into a city in 1994 paving the way for its non-stop development.
In line with the observance of the twin event, various activities have been slated including a Nutri-Fun- Run on January 29, to be followed on the next day by a medical mission dubbed as Operation We Care 2012 and the Gabi ng Pasasalamat -Bantay Bayan Night at the Mandaluyong Gym.
Day 3 will be the inaugural blessing of Block 32 Day Care Center in Molave St., Barangay Addition Hills, groundbreaking of Manpower & Youth Development Center in Brgy. AdditionHills, streetlights opening in Kalentong and Haig St.
On February 6, the mayor will deliver his State of the City Address (SOCA), charting the gains of his administration.
Other major activities include local and overseas job fair, inauguration of major thoroughfares, classrooms and Day Care centers, medical mission, Koro ng Bayan 2nd Citywide Choir Championship, Search for Miss and Bilbiling Mandaluyong, employees night and the recognition of Ulirang Mandaleno and
Top 10 Taxpayers.
The event will be capped with a Liberation Parade on February 9 where some 15,000
officials, employees, businessmen, civic groups, students, senior and concerned citizens are expected
to attend.