The City of Makati will celebrate its 348th year with a 10-day revelry beginning on June 1, Mayor Abigail Binay announced on Monday.
Binay called on residents to join this year’s celebration dubbed as “Makati Makisalo” which aim to highlight the thrust of the city government to promote inclusive progress through increased community participation and stronger ties with development partners.
“We have chosen ‘Makati Makisalo’ for this year’s Araw ng Makati theme as it resonates with our vision of inclusivity leading towards equitable social progress and sustainable development,” said Binay.
“We want to emphasize how our unity and willingness to share responsibility for our city’s growth have carried us this far—from being dismissed as a ‘worthless swampland’ during the Spanish era into a highly progressive city which has blazed the trail in governance and public service,” she added.
On June 1, the mayor will lead the installation of the ‘Makati Makisalo’ marker at the Ayala Triangle Gardens at 10 am to officially launch the 348th Araw ng Makati celebration. Mobile art jeepneys and trikes will also be on display for the launching of the new Mobile Art Hub Project of the city which aims to promote arts and crafts among young residents.
Prior to the ceremony, the city government will host the traditional ‘almusalan’ for all city hall employees to promote camaraderie among neighboring offices and departments at 8 a.m.
On Friday evening at 6 pm, the city will host the traditional vin d’honneur for the business community and diplomatic corps at the Peninsula Manila. This year, the city will give recognition to its valued development partners, which include selected organizations in the business, service and academic sectors, as well as private companies and enterprises.
On June 2, Saturday, a parade will showcase Miss Makati 2018 candidates, Caracol performers, delegations from the barangays, city hall offices, and national government agencies, and several marching bands. The parade will start at 3 pm from city hall grounds and end in Makati Avenue, where participants will be welcomed with a Street Party which will start at 4:30 pm.
Featuring various local bands (indie and mainstream) who will provide live entertainment to revelers, the street party will be open to the public until midnight. The performers will include Adinkra, Autotelic, Leanne and Naara, Al James, Ebe Dancel, The Ransom Collective, Gracenote, Moonstar 88, and Franco.
On June 3, a Family Day will be held starting at 8 a.m. at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle, where families can have quality time through a circus-themed Sunday fun day.
Meanwhile, children can hop into Martina’s Arts and Crafts Corner by 10 a.m. to participate in slime- and puppet-making, face and pottery painting, and cupcake designing activities. The city’s Mobile Art Jeepney will also be presented and Martina Campos, the mayor’s daughter, will personally lead the Bath-bomb making session.
On June 4, an activity dubbed ‘Sayaw Galaw’ will be held at the Museo ng Makati, starting at 9 a.m. High school students from the city’s public schools will engage in a dance workshop to unearth and hone their natural talents.
A Pineapple Jam party will be held on June 5 at the Poblacion Park, starting at 6 p.m., where people from all walks of life can perform and share their artistry.
On June 6, an event called Movie Under the Stars will be held at the Circuit Makati starting at 5 p.m., where viewers will be able to enjoy two exceptional films. Newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials will also be present at the event to welcome movie goers and inspire the crowd to join their cause as young leaders.
On June 7, a Mega Job Fair will be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, starting at 10 a.m., spearheaded by the Makati Public Employment Service Office in cooperation with Ayala Land and Ayala Malls.
Also, on June 7, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., a Throwback Thursday event dubbed ‘Bring Your Own Apo!’ will be held at the Brgy. Bel-Air Covered Court where ‘senioritos’ and ‘senioritas’ will grace the dance floor with their grandchildren. The event aims to bridge the gap between senior citizens and millennials by providing them a venue to meet halfway and better appreciate and understand each other.
On June 8, a Night Market will be launched where vendors and local businesses will be able to sell their products at Plaza Cristo Rey, starting at 6 p.m. Budding artists will also be present at the venue for a series of acoustic performances.
On June 9, the Miss Makati Coronation Night will be held at Circuit Makati starting at 6 p.m. Sixteen ladies from different barangays will vie for the title, which carries with it the qualities representing women of Makati – smart, innovative, and exuding grace and substance.
To culminate the celebration, Mayor Binay will lead a Grand Salu-Salo on June 10 at Lawton Street starting at 5 p.m. The event will serve as a grand finale for all the activities of Makati Makisalo.