Gabi ng Parangal will be one of the major highlights of the celebration of 130th Founding Anniversary of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur to be held on October 1-5, 2014. According to Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Aurora Herbito, chairperson on Gabi ng Parangal event, top residents from Sta. Cruz will be given due recognition for the exemplary contributions to the municipality in different fields. The recognition night will be on October 1 at the municipal gymnasium.
“This will be an innovation of the foundation day celebration. As our town turns 130 years old, we decided to honor our constituents who have become part of the overall development of Sta. Cruz”
This year’s celebration is underscored by a theme “Mas Lingaw diri sa Sta. Cruz” (It’s more fun in Sta. Cruz), literally enticing people from all walks of life to visit to this part of the country and enjoy the places, faces and experiences being the oldest town in Davao del Sur. Sta. Cruz has been into investment promotions and tourism over the last few years as its major priority direction. It is a first class municipality known for its agri-industries and ecotourism destinations.
The five-day celebration will be commenced with an LGU-day on October 1 in the morning. After an opening mass at St. Joseph Parish, different activities will be conducted simultaneously such as the Opening of Sta. Cruz Tourism and Agri-Industrial Trade Exhibit (STATE 2014), Farmers’ and Fishers Day’, Social Welfare Day and Preventive Health Services
On October 2, the Department of Education will have their show featuring variety of performances from the elementary and secondary levels while on October 3 will be the Barangay Day celebration where the Allo Tanggogoan Street Dancing Competition will be held. In the evening of October 3 will be the Search for Mutya ng Sta. Cruz.
Outdoor activities will highlight the fourth day (October 4). It will be started with a Fun-Run-for-a-Cause at 5:00 in the morning to be spearheaded by the St. Joseph Runners group. There will also be a tricikad race afterwards and in the afternoon starting 1:00 o’clock will be the motocross racing to be held at Escandor area.
A grand parade will start the October 5 activities to be followed by a culmination program. The keynote speaker will be the Governor of Davao del Sur Honorable Claude P. Bautista. In the afternoon, championship games will be held along with the marching band presentation and in the evening will be a night of entertainment to be sponsored by Governor Bautista that includes firework display and disco concert.
A nightly concert starting October 1 will also be conducted at the municipal plaza with strong support from San Miguel Brewery, Inc. (Julius R. Paner)