The 34th Ugyonan Festival of E. B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker, kicks off on Friday, April 28, and will run until the fiesta day on Monday, May 1.
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, at a press conference Thursday, said the festival is a celebration of survival from the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, while it is a time to celebrate he also appealed to those attending the festival to observe minimum health protocols and to voluntarily wear face masks.
Malacon said this year’s theme, “Sa Pag-ugyon, Ibalik ang Kasadya (In Unity, We Can Bring Back Happy Times),” highlights the progress of the town born out of unity and hard work of Saraviahanons.
In a sense, the theme means a “renewal” of Ugyonan as this year’s edition marks the return of the festival in full swing after more than three years of stringent public policies and restrictions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor said.
The festival’s opening ceremony will be held at the Public Plaza 9 a.m. Friday, with Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez as the guest of honor and speaker. Benitez had served as congressman of the Third District, where E. B. Magalona belongs, for three terms, a press release from the EB Magalona information office said.
Performers at the opening program will include the E. B. Magalona Dance Community that bagged the championship trophy at the Pop Dance Competition of the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival last week.
EB Magalona will also host the Serbisyo Caravan and Job Fair at the Public Plaza at 10 a.m. on Friday. The activity is being conducted by the EB Magalona Public Employment Service Office and the Negros Occidental provincial government PESO.
Thirteen local and four overseas companies will be at the Public Plaza ready to hire, the press release said.
Residents can also avail of various services from the one-stop-shop Serbisyo Caravan featuring government agencies like Pag-IBIG, SSS, NBI, PhilHealth, and PhilSys.
The Tumandok Night Dance Competition, dubbed “Indak sa Noventa,” will be be held at the p[ublic plaza 7 p.m. Friday.
Repakol Band (formerly Siakol) will perform at the Public Plaza starting 10 p.m. also on Friday.
The Philippine National Police will hold a Caravan on License To Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) at the Public Plaza starting 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 29.
Other activities include the alumni homecoming of the E. B. Magalona National High School, starting with a parade at 7 a.m., with Manila band Yano performing at 8 p.m.
Other events on the second day are Katilingban Day of St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 8 a.m., 2nd Mayor Marvin Malacon Dart Tournament at Ciano’s Seafood Grill and Bar at 9 a.m., and Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , the press release said.
In the evening, the 10 candidates of the Lin-ay sang Ugyonan 2023 will hold their Talent Night starting 7 p.m. at the Public Plaza.
On Sunday, April 30, to be simultaneously held starting 9 a.m. are Pa-Bingo Games at the Plaza sponsored by Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), Dart Tournament at Ciano’s, Mobile Legends Tournament at Saravia Commercial Building, and Saravia Speed Fest 201 Drag Race in Barangay Gahit.
Also on Sunday are a Zumba Competition at 2 p.m., Zumba Party at 4 p.m., the Lin-ay sang Ugyonan 2023 Coronation Night, and Shamrock Band sponsored by Rep. Benitez at 10 p.m. – all at the Public Plaza.
On Monday, the fiesta day, there will be a 8 a.m. concelebrated mass at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
Six clustered barangays will also compete in the Street and Arena Dance Competition starting 2 p.m. Monday.
The festival will be capped with a “Reggae Night” at the Plaza starting 7 p.m., top-billed by American reggae group Big Mountain, the band behind the remake of “Baby, I Love Your Way.”
Other performers are Chocolate Factory, Cali Island, and original Viva Hot Babes Maui Taylor and Katya Santos.*