TARLAC CITY—The province of Tarlac is celebrating its 144th founding anniversary this week. Several activities have been lined up from May 22 to May 28, the foundation day itself.
This year’s celebration, with the theme “Ganda at Galing…Natural Tarlac”, will be the first under the leadership of Gov. Susan Yap.
Yap will lead the activities for the first Kanlahi Festival (Kanlungan ng Lahi), which 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 then Gov. Jose Yap tapped historians to research when the province was established.
“We hope 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 Mass, a motorcade, food festival, organic white-rice launching, colored-chalk competition and a battle of the bands.
Bloodletting, a medical and dental mission, a dog show and “Tarlaqueños Got Talent” on May 23; a jobs fair, first Yap intertown basketball cup, pageant night of the Mutya ng Lalawigang Tarlac and a fireworks display on May 24.
A car-drifting show, Tarlac national painting contest and sayaw-hataw dance contest will be held on May 25. Palaro ng Lahi, legal aid, street-dancing competition, a variety show and a fireworks display will be held on May 26.
Schedued for May 27 are a color fun run, motor show and car display, a grand foat parade, saya keng dalan street party, Miss Earth Fashion show and a fireworks display.
On foundation day itself, the provincial government will commemorate National Flag Day and awarding ceremonies of the first Yap motocross and Mister Tarlac.
There are 16 local beauties representing the lone city and 13 municipalities that will vie for the 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 Santa Ignacia, Ruth Natalie Caledas of Victoria, Nicole Ronquillo also of Capas, Krizzia Mae Lazo of San Jose and Sandrianne Esquiola of Concepcion.