Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the official opening of the 26th Kadalag-an Festival at the Sidlak Victorias Global City in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, March 21.
“We have prepared to give you the next level of Kadalag-an experience here in the Sidlak Victorias Global City. From music festivals to our signature cultural events, starting March 21 until March 24, the 26th Kadalag-an Festival will definitely go down in our history,” Benitez said.
The festivities kicked off with the grand civic military parade joined by 2,982 participants comprised of uniformed personnel, multi-sectoral groups, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan council members, national government agency heads and representatives.
The festival is being held for the first time at the Sidlak Victorias Global City where the smart, sustainable, and resilient Victorias City will rise, Benitez said.
It houses the City Command and Evacuation Center and soon, the New Government Center, Sidlak Residential Complex, Art District, Commercial and Transport Hubs, and many more state-of-the-art buildings and facilities, a press release from Victorias City said.
“We called this the Sidlak Victorias Global City because we envision Victorias City not only to be nationally competitive but to level up in the global standards and to be a home for all Victoriahanons where they can live, work, and play,” Benitez said.
The opening ceremony was attended by Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, city councilors, barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, along with the 12 candidates for the Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen 2024 and special guest, actress Sue Ramirez.
The Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dancers, Hangyaku-sha Dancers, and Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias Silent Drill also entertained the crowd.*