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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cabiao fest shelved, is ‘too costly,’ says mayor

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CABIAO, Nueva Ecija—This first-class town’s famous Paistimaka Festival, which made it a household word in the province, has been scrapped by the administration of neophyte Mayor Ramil B. Rivera for being “too costly.”

Rivera said the annual festival, held every first week of February, will no longer be observed but will instead be replaced by a dance-fest among schools.

“We have decided not to hold the Paistimaka Festival this February. We deemed not to hold it because the municipal government has been spending at least P1 million for the festivities,” the mayor said.

The move was not politically motivated, Rivera said, adding that the Catholic Church has asked to integrate the festivities with the town fiesta in May to make its foundation anniversary livelier.

“That would be a huge amount considering that we have many projects in place. We are thrifty but we are able to accomplish much,” he said.

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Paistimaka is usually celebrated from Feb. 5 to 11 during the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Catholic patron saint of bodily ills.

The festival’s name is derived from the words palay (rice), isda (fish), tilapia, mais (corn), karne (meat) and ka (you). Literally, it is a Tagalog word that means “be entertained.” The event was meant to showcase the agricultural products of Kabyawenyos.

Cabiao also produces sorghum, vegetables such as eggplant, squash, string beans and tomatoes, and fruits such as mango and watermelon. Its fishing grounds teem with catfish, mudfish, tilapia and eels.

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