Mabalacat City Celebrates Milestones through Velada Mabalaqueña

     The year 2012 is a jubilee year for Mabalacat. The year did not only mark the tri-centennial founding anniversary of the town, it also witnessed its successful conversion into a component city of the Province of Pampanga. To celebrate these milestones, the Institute of Arts and Sciences of Mabalacat City College staged Velada Mabalaqueña on September 25, 2012 at the Mabalacat City College quadrangle.

     The Velada Mabalaqueña was one of its kind in Mabalacat. The Mabalacat City College quadrangle was transformed into a Spanish plazuela of fountains, flowers and capiz windows. All the guests were dressed up in Spanish colonial costumes. The sounds, sights and senses gave the guests a taste of Spanish Philippines. Velada is Spanish word which means a night-time social gathering. In the Philippines, velada means “staying awake late at night” to commemorate an event.

All dressed-up for the Velada. Invited special guests include successful Mabalaqueños like Director Elwood Perez

     Though the event was open to public, prominent and successful Mabalaqueños were specially invited to grace the occasion. Mayor Marino P. Morales officially declared the conversion of the Municipality into Mabalacat City amidst the festive orchestral music and the boom of fireworks! Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas formally announced the renaming of Mabalacat College into Mabalacat City College. Pampanga Archbishop Reverend Fr. Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. unveiled of the portrait of Fr. Andres de San Fulgencio, OAR, Founder of Mabalacat. Department of Education Region III Director, Dr. Isabelita M. Borres, led the cheers for Mabalacat City.

     There were notable highlights that made the velada even more  memorable. The fabulous rendition of Piyestang Sinukwan under the leadership of Richard John W. Hernandez and Benjamin D. Alonzo sets the festive and cultural mode of the occasion. The lighting of 300 colorful sky lanterns to memorialize the 300 years of Mabalacat history and heritage presents a fascinating sight. The Institute of Hospitality Management also brought to life the flavors of Spain with their paella and chicken galantina. The event was made successful because of the familial cooperation the Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students of Mabalacat City College.

     Congratulations Mabalacat City for these historic milestones! We look forward for next Velada Mabalaqueña.