Victorias City opened its 118th Malihaw Festival celebration with the traditional Fluvial Parade at Daan Banwa, Barangay IX, on Thursday, April 25.
Several boats sailed at the Barangay IX Port with the images of the city’s patron saints, Our Lady of Victory, and St. Casimir leading the parade.
A blessing ceremony of the boats and the images was then conducted to solemnize the event.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the celebration with Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and the city councilors.
Benitez, in his message, emphasized that the traditional fluvial parade symbolizes the faith and hope of Victoriahanons.
Benitez stressed that the celebration is a testament to the strong belief and faith of Victoriahanons in God.
He also announced that the Victorias History Book by Negrosanon Historian, Modesto Sa-onoy, will soon be launched in May.
This will contain the history of the city from the year 1845 to 1945.
The ceremony was capped with a reenactment of the story of Nuestra Señora de las Victorias, choreographed by Ricky Lapidante Jr. and performed by the Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dancers.
Provincial Board Member Richard Julius Sablan joined the celebration together with the punong barangays, city department heads, uniformed personnel, and members of various sectoral groups.
Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon officiated the 118th Malihaw Festival Thanksgiving Mass at the Our Lady of Victory Parish on Friday, April 26.
Benitez together with his mother, Nikki Cares Foundation President Dominique Lopez-Benitez, joined the mass to celebrate the city’s annual patronal fiesta. *