The Himaya 2025 of Himamaylan City will be a week of thanksgiving, milestones, and unity, Mayor Raymund Tongson said as the seven-day festival kicked off on Monday, March 31, with a mass to celebrate the city’s charter day at the city hall lobby.
“This year’s Himaya will be all about thanking for the blessings we have received and celebrating our multiple regional and national milestones while uniting as one Himamaylan,” Tongson said in a press release.
March 31 to April 6 in Himamaylan City will be filled to the brim with activities that will excite Himamaylanons and visitors alike, he said.
“We have prepared daily events that festivalgoers of all ages will look forward to, from the morning up until the evening,” Tongson said.
“As we mark almost a year after the end of El Niño, we honor the resilience and determination of our farmers and producers through the agri-trade fare,” he said.
The festival opened with the ribbon cutting of the Agri-Trade Fare at the refurbished Himamaylan Public Plaza, and a carabao parade.
On Tuesday, April 1, cooperatives and associations of farmers, fisherfolk, and producers will join the Rural-based Organizations Day, which will highlight one of the backbone sectors of the city, the press release said.
Farmers and Young Farmers Day will be held on Wednesday, while the Fiesta sa UMA will be on day six of the festival on Thursday.
HIMAYA QUEEN
The candidates of Himaya Queen 2025 kicked off their journey with a fashion show and sashing Monday evening.
The 2025 Himaya Queen will be crowned on Friday, April 4, at the public plaza, with special guests PBB Collab host Robbie Domingo, movie superstar Joshue Garcia, and Negrense actress Pau Dimaranan.
STREET DANCE TILT
The Himaya Festival Street Competition will start at the Himamaylan City Old Public Market and will culminate with the Arena Dance Competition at the Himamaylan National High School (HNHS) grounds on Sunday, April 6.
STAR-STUDDED
The nights at Himaya 2025 will be filled with stars and up-and-coming artists and musicians, the press release said.
PBB Gen 11 Big Winner Fyang Smith and fellow housemate JM Ibarra, Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart topper Dionela, and DJ Loonyo are set to close Himaya 2025 with a fireworks display at the HNHS grounds on Sunday.
From April 1 to 6, disc jocks and bands will provide nightly entertainment in Himamaylan. Among them are DJ Iyo Gaudite, Yuya Band, Infinite Ridge Band, Inch Band, DJ Greg, DJ Saint, Shift Band, DJ Kate, DJ Murphy, and HNHS Band.
Other activities include the Slay-Maya Drag Competition on April 5, MRT Motorshow at the Himamaylan City Hall – April 2-3, Sectoral Day – April 3, Drum and Lyre Competition – April 4, and Motocross Competition – April 5.*